History of Israel's Good News - July to Sep 2016

160925


In the 25th Sept 16 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:

·         Israeli scientists have been able to stop breast cancer from spreading.
·         Israel’s “bacteria or virus?” blood test received a huge grant from the EU.
·         Palestinian Arabs entered Israel to celebrate Eid al Adha on Jaffa beaches.
·         Israel’s first Ambassador to NATO presented his credentials.
·         See Israel’s largest infrastructure project - the Jerusalem railway station.
·         Israel sent a natural remedy to eradicate South Africa’s mealybugs.
·         Israel has opened trade offices in Peru and Chile.
·         Ford and Uber snapped up two Israeli autonomous vehicle tech startups.
·         “David defeated Goliath.” Beersheba beat Inter Milan in Europa Cup soccer.
·         The world’s oldest man celebrated his Bar Mitzvah, 100 years late.

·         Click here to see the 11th Sept newsletter on IsraelSeen, Ruthfully Yours, Janglo and United With Israel with features on Health, Global Impact, Technology and Culture. Also (TY Sandra) available in German and (TY Karen) available in Portuguese. Please promote the terrific work of these volunteers by passing their links onto German-speaking and Portuguese-speaking readers.

Page Down for details on these and more good news stories from Israel.  Thank You to all who have sent me links to many of these positive news articles. Please use IsraelActive to search the archives.


ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS

Stopping the spread of breast cancer.  In laboratory tests, researchers at Tel Aviv University and MIT have used gene therapy to prevent metastasis - the spread of breast cancer to other parts of the body. 80% of women with metastatic cancer die from the disease within five years of being diagnosed.

A cure for motion sickness. MotionCure from Israel’s Sidis Labs can provide relief from motion sickness within minutes.  MotionCure’s combination of a neck collar and a travel pillow transmits customized pulses to the median nerve at the back of neck. These counter negative signals from the brain that upset the stomach.

Treatment for Sickle Cell Disease.  (TY Atid-EDI) The first patient with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) has received a transplant of CordIn from Israeli biotech Gamida Cell.  CordIn is an alternative for patients awaiting a suitable match for bone marrow transplants.  Trials of CordIn are planned for patients with aplastic anemia.

Patent for ocular neuro-protectant treatment.  The US Patent and Trademark Office has granted a key patent covering the treatment of patients suffering from non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) with the Company’s ocular neuro-protectant QPI-1007. Quark is a US company with its R&D in Israel.

Boost for colon X-ray capsule.  Israel’s Check-cap, developer of the world’s first ingestible colon X-ray capsule, has announced three key news items.  It is partnering with GE Healthcare to develop high-volume manufacturing. It also received $1.2 million from the Israeli government and $5.9 million from private sources.

More treatments from Teva.  Israel’s Teva has launched in the US the generic equivalent to Gleevec (imatinib mesylate) for the treatment of leukemia and other cancer-related diseases. Also, Europe has approved Teva’s CINQAERO (reslizumab) – the first intravenous anti-IL-5 biologic therapy for severe eosinophilic asthma.

Europe funds Israeli blood test for viruses and bacteria.  The UN has prioritized fighting antibiotic resistance. Meanwhile, the European Commission has granted 2.3 million Euros to Israeli biotech MeMed to help develop its fast blood test that distinguishes between bacterial and viral infections – and thus significantly reduces the unnecessary use of antibiotics. (See Aug 2015 newsletter)

Device to seal burst arteries.  (TY Atid-EDI) Israel’s InSeal Medical has received CE Mark approval for its InClosure VCD (Vascular Closure Device), designed to close large bore arterial punctures. These could be emergencies such as abdominal aortic aneurysms or in procedures such as heart valve replacements.

Corneal edema treatment approved for the US.  (TY Atid-EDI) The US FDA has approved the Hyper-CL contact lens for the treatment of corneal edema developed by Israel’s EyeYon Medical. The product is already approved for marketing in Europe. About two million people develop corneal edema annually.

Using Virtual Reality to prevents falls.  Tel Aviv University researchers have proved that exercise using Virtual Reality (VR) systems can halve the number of incidents of falls in the elderly.  Falls in adults aged 65 and over account for about 2% of all healthcare expenditures in high-income countries,

Pain relief machines for women in labor.  Yad Sarah, the voluntary organization that lends out medical equipment and offers many other services to the ill, lonely and elderly, has bought hundreds of TENS machines. These provide pain relief for women in labor and will be lent to expectant mothers from Yad Sarah branches.


ISRAEL IS INCLUSIVE AND GLOBAL

Dental clinics for the poor.  Israel’s oldest charity Colel Chabad has established nine dental clinics to serve Israel’s neediest. They include Jerusalem, Afula, Akko, Ashdod and Netanya. Heavily subsidized prices make oral hygiene affordable for thousands of adults who would otherwise have no recourse.

After school programs for disadvantaged kids.  Israel’s Knesset (parliament) has approved a bill allocating some NIS 500 million ($130 million) to the budget for after-school informal education for children from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. It will mainly teach workforce skills to ultra-Orthodox and Arab children.

Everybody can do everything.  (TY Bennett) The Special in Uniform program proved that anything is possible when Shai Levi enlisted in the IDF to work at the Eilat Naval base.  Shai suffers from Cerebral Palsy.

$374 million for Arab-sector housing. Israel is to allocate 1.41 billion shekels ($374 million) toward building public housing for Israeli Arabs and to lift restrictions from construction on private land.  The agreement with the heads of 15 local municipal Arab authorities will facilitate the construction of 30,000 housing units.

Thousands of Arabs do National Service.  In 2010, only 600 non-Jews served in Israel’s national service program. Now, 4,500 non-Jews (mostly Israeli Arabs) do national service, including 100 from East Jerusalem. Participants volunteer for one to two years in public institutions like schools, hospitals, courts or health clinics.

Integrating Arabs into hi-tech.  (TY Dan) The ExcelHT program from Israeli NGO IT Works provides much needed manpower to Israeli hi-tech companies while providing employment opportunities for the Arab sector. ExcelHT provides career counseling, coaching, English language skills and much needed business contacts.

Palestinian Arabs flock to Jaffa beaches.  The entrance to Jaffa was turned into a makeshift bus station as hundreds of Palestinian Arabs arrived in private buses to spend Eid al Adha in Jaffa and the adjacent beaches.

New shopping mall for all.  (TY Janglo) A new mall for Jews and Palestinians Arabs has opened at the Gush Etzion junction in Judea and Samaria.  Muslim women wearing hijabs and traditional dress, shopped alongside religious Jewish women in skirts and scarves tied over their hair.  http://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/New-mall-for-settlers-and-Palestinians-opens-in-Gush-Etzion-464175

The fifth best country for social entrepreneurs.  The Thomson Reuters Foundation poll of almost 900 social enterprise experts in the world's 45 biggest economies ranked Israel as the fifth best nation (after the US, Canada, Britain and Singapore) for social entrepreneurs – people who use businesses to tackle social problems.

Partnering with Australia’s Victoria state.  (TY Dan) A delegation of eleven Victorian Coalition MPs took part in AIJAC’s Rambam Israel Fellowship Program. They were especially impressed by Ben Gurion University’s social entrepreneurs, OurCrowd’s “Our Innovation Australia Fund” and Australia’s Landing Pad in Tel Aviv.  http://www.jwire.com.au/victorian-coalition-delegation-looks-israel-innovation-inspiration/

Hunting African wildlife traffickers.  I reported previously (Nov 2014) on Israel’s Dr Bill Clark combating poaching in Kenya. Now another Israeli, Ofir Drori, has launched the EAGLE network and put 1300 poachers behind bars in Cameroon, Republic of Congo, Gabon, Benin, Togo, Guinea, Senegal, Uganda and Madagascar. 

Nigeria scientific delegation to Israel.  (TY Dan) Nigeria’s Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Onu, went on a 4-day official visit to Israel, to stimulate the Technology Acquisition and Transfer initiative.  He was accompanied by the Heads of Nigeria’s Space R&D and Environmental Sciences and Technology.

Israel’s first ambassador to NATO.  Aharon “Ronny” Leshno-Yaar presented his credentials as Israel’s first ambassador to the 28-member NATO military alliance. NATO announced upgraded ties with Israel in May, recognizing an official Israeli representative and granting Israel a permanent office at its Brussels headquarters.


SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Electric buses for Tel Aviv.  The Dan bus company is to run five new entirely electric buses on its No.4 route in Tel Aviv. The technology uses supercapacitors rather than batteries, with a 3-minute recharge between trips. Dan will introduce another 17 electric buses this year and intends to replace its entire fleet with electric buses.

Jerusalem’s new railway station.  (TY Janglo) In 2018, Israel’s first high speed train is scheduled to leave Tel Aviv. It will travel over Israel’s longest bridge, through Israel’s longest tunnel and atop its tallest bridge, before (just 28 minutes later) reaching Jerusalem – Israel’s deepest station and one of the largest in the world.

Protecting the Olympics.  SayVU is one of the many Israeli security products and services deployed in Rio to protect the Olympic Games. It enables a user to send a distress signal to an emergency hotline even if a phone is locked. The message can be sent by shaking the device, tapping the camera button, or speaking into the phone.

Driving by laser radar.  Israel-based startup Innoviz Technologies is developing game-changing high definition solid state LIDAR (Light Detection And Ranging) sensors that are essential for autonomous (self-driving) automobiles. Current LIDAR systems are too large, complex, expensive and unreliable.

Moovit increases people-power.  The new Android version (4.13) of Israeli crowdsourcing public transportation app Moovit allows its 40 million users to add information regarding stations including exits, elevator outages, parking etc.  www.geektime.com/2016/08/09/israeli-transit-app-moovit-expands-crowdsourcing-to-give-users-more-info-for-their-commute/

Showing Israeli tech to US sports leagues.  (TY Dan) 13 Israeli companies visited San Francisco and New York to show the world's leading companies their innovative sports technology. Innovations presented included performance sensors, real-time video analysis, and new ways of creating connection between fans and brands.

Math and science games go global.  (TY Atid-EDI) I reported on Israeli startup Slate Science previously (in Dec 2012). Since then, its Matific educational math and science games have been implemented in hundreds of schools worldwide and in 20 languages.  Slate Sciences has just raised $45 million of funding.

Fast standalone mobile broadband.  (TY Atid-EDI) The standalone mobile system from Israel’s Celliboost is suitable for government, law enforcement, emergency and media services in rugged, rural terrain. Customers in Mexico and Chile have already purchased the fast, large-volume, landline-quality, high-resolution data, audio, and video communications system.  http://www.globes.co.il/en/article-celliboost-launches-secure-broadband-communications-for-rugged-terrain-1001143476  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0Ywo23Bvo8

Reducing parasites in South Africa.  (TY NoCamels) Israel’s Biobee has sent 160 million predatory wasps to South Africa in order to reduce infestation levels of both the citrus mealybug and vine mealybug. Biobee’s insects have previously been used effectively in Russia, the Balkans and in Israel (see here).

Intel Israel’s merged reality system.  Intel’s Project Alloy was unveiled at Intel’s Developer Forum in San Francisco.  The headset uses Intel Haifa’s RealSense technology to merge objects in the real world with virtual reality (VR). Cameras on the headset protect the user from collisions and allow them to see friends.

App puts fun into museum visit. Nathalie Half founded Israeli startup Museloop when her children stopped joining her on her museum visits. Now when they walk through the exhibits, the app plays “I Spy” or “Spot the difference” or makes a jigsaw puzzle of the artwork or starts a trivia game. Some museums give incentives to the winner.  http://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-start-up-brings-tech-to-museums-for-fun-games/


ECONOMY & BUSINESS

Exports jump 11.5%.  Israel's exports continue powering ahead: in June-August 2016, the export of goods (excluding ships, planes and diamonds) rose an annualized 11.5%.  Exports of hi-tech goods and medicines were chiefly responsible for the increase.

Another currency reserves record high.  Israel’s foreign exchange reserves at the end of August 2016 stood at a record $97,626 million - an increase of $233 million from their level at the end of the previous month.

Expanding trade with Peru and Chile.  The opening of trade offices in Peru and Chile increases Israel’s integration with the Pacific Alliance – a trade group that includes both countries, as well as Colombia and Mexico – bringing trade opportunities for Israeli firms in South America and beyond.

Trade with Kazakhstan up 36%. (TY Dan) Trade between Israel and Kazakhstan rose 36 percent in the first half of 2016 compared to the same period last year. Israel’s exports to Kazakhstan (mainly manufactured goods and chemical products) amounted to $18 million (16 million euros), up $2 million from 2015. (See also July 31 newsletter)  http://www.laht.com/article.asp?ArticleId=2418615&CategoryId=12396

Reducing the cost of hotel rooms. (TY Atid-EDI and Dan) The Knesset had passed a new law to encourage the building of hotels and thus make tourism cheaper.  It will streamline planning and building procedures and offers incentives to developers, including an allowance of up to 20% extra space for residential construction.

A good future for fintech. (TY Dan) Fintech firms flourish in Israel due to strong overseas interest, innovation and local talent devoted to addressing the specific needs of this industry. Israel has approximately 430 fintech companies.  Six are highlighted in this article, with “I Know First” and “Leverate Ltd” new to this newsletter.

A gift to the UK.  (TY Atid-EDI) I reported on Israeli startup Zeek previously (in Sep 2014). Zeek’s app and website allows users to buy gift cards and vouchers at a discount and sell unwanted gift vouchers for cash. Zeek has since expanded to the U.K. and has just raised $9.5 million to help fund the move and further growth.

Helping to grow your online business. (TY Atid-EDI) Israel’s SoLoMoTo provides a digital platform to help small and medium businesses (SMBs) control their online trading. SoLoMoTo now has over 100,000 customers and is about to launch in the USA which has 30 million SMBs.

Teva acquires US distribution company.  (TY Atid-EDI) Israel’s Teva is spending another half-a-billion dollars to buy Allergan’s Anda, the 4th largest distributor of generic treatments in the U.S. Teva will acquire distribution centers in Olive Branch, MS; Weston, FL and Groveport, OH, with a total of over 650 employees.

Finance systems for Monaco Telecom.  (TY Atid-EDI) Israel’s BillRun has implemented an advanced billing system worth hundreds of thousands of dollars for quad-play communication services at Monaco Telecom (MT). BillRun’s charging systems have also been implemented at Israel’s Pelephone and Golan telecom.

Big data can also get personal.  (TY Atid-EDI) Israel’s Pontis (part of Amdocs) leverages real-time Big Data Analytics to provide a unified and contextual view of every customer to keep them happy and achieve company goals. Pontis has been ranked in the list of “100 Most Promising Big Data Solution Providers” by CIOReview.

The first mobile performance advertising agency.  (TY Atid-EDI) Israel’s Matomy Media Group is listed on the London Stock Exchange.  It recently launched mtmy – a mobile advertising agency offering a fully-managed service. In two months, Matomy’s share price has risen almost 60%.

Ford acquires Israeli autonomous car tech.  (TY Izek) Ford Motor Co. has acquired Israel’s SAIPS to strengthen its expertise in artificial intelligence and enhance computer vision. It is part of Ford’s project to develop a fully autonomous vehicle and put it on the road by 2021. SAIPS tech collects visual data through sensors and translates it into usable data.

Uber acquires Israeli autonomous trucks.  (TY Dan) Ride-hailing giant Uber Technologies has recently finalized a $680 million acquisition of Otto Motors, an Israeli startup specializing in converting normal trucks into autonomous ones.  Otto co-founder Anthony Levandowski will head Uber's self-driving division.


CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT & SPORT

Shakespeare comes to Tel Aviv.  The Tmuna Theater’s 2016 International Theater, Performance and Dance Festival includes five dance productions - from Germany, Poland, the UK and Israel. There are 12 theater and dance premieres, workshops, movies and symposiums, all based around the works of Shakespeare.

The best tour guide in Tel Aviv.  Tourists will soon be flocking to Israel for the Jewish festivals, so it is a good time to tell you that our friend Samuel Green was recently awarded the title of “Best Bespoke Tour Operator in Tel Aviv” by Luxury Travel Guide.  http://myisraeliguide.com/  
           
Sobar’s grand opening.  The day has arrived – the official opening of the smoke-free, no-alcohol, Sobar Music and Creative Arts Club for youth in downtown Jerusalem.  Head to Shoshan Street in back of Yaffo 19 at 7pm on Tues 27th Sept.  https://www.facebook.com/events/589648134574633/   www.sobarjerusalem.net

The Teder phenomenon.  (TY Jacques) Teder.fm is a pop-up radio bar, which appears every summer night at Beit Romano, a shopping mall located at Derech Yaffo 9 (Jaffa Street) Tel Aviv. In the evening, Teder (Hebrew for “frequency”) becomes a hip open air place with DJ music, beer and pizza.  By morning, it’s gone.

Israeli animation wins design award.  “Scapegoat,” a short film by Bezalel Academy graduates Gal Haklay and Shulamit Tager, won first prize in the original design category at the 13th annual Animation Block Party Awards in Brooklyn.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8I0VlFsNRk4

Paralympics medalists.  Israeli athletes that won medals in the Rio Paralympics include Moran Samuel (rowing bronze in arms-shoulders women's single sculls), Doron Shaziri (shooting bronze in men’s 50-meter rifle three positions) and Inbal Pezaro (swimming bronze in women’s 200M individual medley)

Beersheba beats Inter Milan.  In its first-ever European soccer group stage match, tiny Beersheba beat three-time European Champions Inter Milan 2-0 in the Europa League at the Italians’ San Siro stadium.  It constituted one of the greatest wins by an Israeli club in European competitions.  http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Sports/Beersheba-on-cloud-nine-Mac-TA-searching-for-explanations-468006


THE JEWISH STATE

2nd Temple High Priest’s stone deciphered.  The inscription on a 2000-year-old stone weight, discovered in 2013 excavations of Jerusalem’s Tiferet Yisrael Synagogue, has just been translated. It contains the family name Katros (in both Aramaic and ancient Persian) of a Second Temple High Priest, mentioned in the Mishna.

World’s oldest man celebrates Bar Mitzvah.  The world’s oldest man, Holocaust survivor Yisrael Kristal, now lives in Haifa. Due to World War 1, he was unable to celebrate his Bar Mitzvah in Poland, so a few years late...100 years late… he was called up to read the Torah for his delayed Bar Mitzvah – on his 113th birthday.

Lone soldier center opens in Jerusalem.  When Michael Levin, a lone soldier who made Aliyah from the USA, was killed in the Second Lebanon War, it set in motion a community-wide, grass roots effort to establish the Lone Soldier Center. On Michael’s 10th yartzheit (anniversary of death) the Jerusalem center opened. http://www.jewishpress.com/news/breaking-news/new-jerusalem-lone-soldier-center-opens-on-michael-levins-yartzheit/2016/08/12/

Nefesh b’Nefesh brings home 50,000.  (TY Janglo & Jacob) The 233 North American Olim that landed in Israel on 17th August included the 50,000th immigrant to make Aliya through Nefesh b’Nefesh.  They were greeted in a special ceremony at Ben Gurion Airport by Israel’s President Reuven Rivlin.

Muslim and Arab Zionists are growing.  (TY Phillip) Muslims and Arabs who openly identify as Zionists are growing in number. Read here about Muhammad Zoabi, Mahdi Satri, Ahmed Meligy, Nonie Darwish, Qanta Ahmed, Mosab Hassan Yousef, Mohammad Hosseini, Gabriel Nadaf, Monaliza Abdo and Lucy Aharish.

When things couldn’t get any worse…. The full entire support system of Ezer Mizion’s Cancer Support Division was mobilized when both mother and father of a newborn baby were diagnosed with tumors. Ezer Mizion provides services to over 660,000 Israelis, plus its Bone Marrow Registry saves lives of Jewish cancer patients the world over. http://www.ezermizion.org/blog/when-things-couldnt-get-any-worse/

Siblings reunited after 65 years.  Just before the last Jewish New Year, Simon Glassberg flew from Canada to Israel to meet his sister Hilda Shlick (nee Glassberg) whom he thought had died in the Holocaust.  In 1999 another Canadian brother, Karol, entered Hilda’s details into the Yad Vashem database, to be discovered only in 2015 by Hilda’s Israeli grandson David Shlick. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGkF54fzG3I



160911


In the 11th Sept 16 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:

·         Israeli scientists have used brainwaves to deliver medications.
·         A paralyzed stroke victim uses an Israeli eye control device to communicate.
·         Two Israeli startups won the Beijing Global Innovation competition.
·         Intel’s new 7th-generation microprocessor was developed in Israel.
·         An Israeli company is installing fast broadband for Ghana and Angola.
·         The world’s largest green investment network has launched in Israel.
·         Israel’s female judoka Olympic medal winner has raised $50,000 for charity.
·         Fragments of Second Temple floor tiles have been found in rubble from Temple Mount.

·         Click here to see the 28th August newsletter on IsraelSeen, Ruthfully Yours and United With Israel with features on Health, Global Impact, Technology and Jewish State. Also (TY Sandra) available in German and (TY Karen) available in Portuguese.  Please promote the terrific work of these volunteers by passing their links onto German-speaking and Portuguese-speaking readers.

Page Down for details on these and more good news stories from Israel.  Thank You to all who have sent me links to many of these positive news articles. Please use IsraelActive to search the archives.


ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS

Use your brain to control nanobots.  (TY Nevet) Researchers at Israel’s Bar Ilan University and the IDC in Herzliya have used brainwaves of humans under strain, to control the release of medicine by tiny robots made from shells made of DNA.  The technique could be used (for example) to treat schizophrenia or depression.

To diagnose genetic disorders.  Israeli-based NRGene is the only company in the world to map the genome for bread, pasta and wild emmer wheat.  Now it is turning its attention to the human genome in order to help diagnose genetic disorders at an early stage and strive to personalize medications.

Pain-free bladder treatments.  (TY Atid-EDI) Israeli startup Vensica Medical is developing the ‘VensiCare, a painless needle-free ultrasound catheter system to deliver treatments for overactive bladder, bladder cancer and interstitial cystitis.  Vensica has just raised $500,000 for R&D and completion of device design.

First US patients for Chameleon balloon catheter.  (TY Atid-EDI) I reported previously (Jun 13) that Israel’s AV Medical had completed trials of its unique balloon catheter that allows simultaneous angioplasty and fluid injection.  AV Medical has just commenced using Chameleon on patients in the US.

Tattoo removal laser gets US approval.  (TY Atid-EDI) The US FDA has approved three wavelengths of the PicoWay picosecond laser from Israel’s Syneron Medical.  The device successfully removes tattoos of various colors.  Recent trials removed 22 tattoos from 15 patients with no side effects.

Monitoring insulin levels.  (TY Atid-EDI) Israel’s DreaMed Diabetes is developing a decision support technology platform called the Advisor to determine optimal patient-specific insulin treatment plans leading to balanced glucose levels in people with diabetes.  DreaMed has just raised $3.3 million for development.

Rejoining his family after 18 months as a vegetable.  The amazing story of how Moti’s family realized that, despite the paralysis from his stroke, Moti was still there.  Now he uses the Israeli device Click2Speak to take part in conversations.  And he says that he’s happy! http://www.ezermizion.org/blog/is-he-still-there/


ISRAEL IS INCLUSIVE AND GLOBAL

Lessening the tax burden for single mums.  (TY Jacques) The Israeli Knesset has passed a new bill to help single parents join the workforce.  Now, those on income support or child maintenance assistance are taxed only at the basic rate, irrespective of how much they earn.  It will help them pay for daycare for their children.

Combating human trafficking.  (TY SDM) Israel is in the top category for battling human trafficking for the fifth year in a row.  There are several centers in Israel help victims of human trafficking and Israel has created a system of real-time cooperation between government offices.  http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Politics-And-Diplomacy/Israel-shares-its-expertise-in-combating-human-trafficking-462545

The friendliest city for dogs.  (TY Algemeiner) Tel Aviv has 25,000 dogs - the highest (1 per 17) per capita anywhere. They have access to 70 public dog parks and special beaches.  A no-kill shelter, a city patrol checks on animal abuse and 24/7 veterinary services for homeless animals.  Aug 26 saw the first ever Festival of Dogs of Tel Aviv-Jaffa. http://www.jns.org/news-briefs/2016/8/16/tel-aviv-friendliest-dog-city-in-the-world

Changing Charedi education.  (TY Sharon) The Bnei Brak organization Achiya is changing the lives of thousands of Charedi children and their families. Achiya employs 250 trained professionals to help over 8600 children with learning difficulties ranging from ADHD to dyslexia to down syndrome.

Teaching Arabic on the streets of Jerusalem.  (TY Hazel) Robby Berman decided that rather than give money to begging Arab children from Hebron, he would bring them to Jerusalem to earn money teaching Arabic to Israelis and tourists.  It turned into a unique “win-win” co-existence exercise.

Record quantity of goods enter Gaza from Israel.  (TY Dan) In the first half of 2016, a record 88,800 trucks of goods were transferred to the Hamas-controlled enclave through the Kerem Shalom border crossing in southern Gaza.  https://www.algemeiner.com/2016/08/26/report-israel-breaks-own-record-more-goods-trucks-entering-gaza-than-ever-before/

Saudi delegation to Israel.  (TY Hazel) Abd al-Mujid al-Hakim, director of the Middle East Center for Strategic and Legal Policy in Jedda, is a member of the Saudi Arabian delegation that recently visited Israel. He said, “The Israeli society that I encountered embraces a culture of peace, has accomplishments it wants to (protect), wants coexistence, and wants peace.”  http://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/Member-of-Saudi-delegation-Israeli-society-want-peace-462856

Israeli aid worker wins humanitarian award.  (TY Brad) IsraAID chief Navonel Glick has won the Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Award for his work on crises throughout the world.  IsraAID has served in Haiti, Japan, the Philippines, South Sudan, and the USA during Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Sandy, the Colorado floods and the Arkansas tornado. It has also assisted Syrian refugees landing on Europe’s beaches.

Boosting ties with Togo.  (TY Dan) Togo is one of Israel’s strongest friends in western Africa. Israeli President Reuven Rivlin told his counterpart from Togo that his country’s ability in agriculture, together with technological capabilities will be shared with the West African nation.

Israeli startups win Global Innovation awards.  Israeli startups won first and second place at the Global Innovation Awards 2016 in Beijing.  NiNiSpeech’s ingenious digital platform for speech disorder treatment, won first place, and AerialGuard’s, autonomous navigation system for unmanned aircraft, came in second. Each startup receives $200,000 cash. http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_article.php?id=35631

Israel’s global impact.  (TY Dan) A good article summing up Israeli positive impact on the world.  It includes security, drought solutions, renewable energy, humanitarian aid and rescue missions.


SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Intel Israel develops 7th generation microprocessor.  Intel has announced its most advanced, next-level Core processor, named Kaby Lake. Its development was led by Intel’s Haifa facility, with the promise of a double-digit rise in computer performance, longer battery life and better security.

Enabling pilots to see through the fog.  The new heads-up display from Israel’s Elbit has been featured on Israeli Channel 2 TV.  The system uses special cameras to analyze wavelengths of light and project clear images onto a pilot’s goggles despite inclement weather.

Detecting criminal behavior.  I featured Israeli cybersecurity company BioCatch several times previously (see here).  Now BioCatch has launched “Criminal Behavior” that can distinguish between the actions of a genuine user and a hacker by (for example) how quickly they respond to a security question (e.g. date of birth).

New railway line completed.  (TY Hazel) Israel Railways has completed the Jezreel Valley railway between Haifa and Beit Shean. The railway revives the line first built by the Ottoman Turks in the late 19th century and closed by the British in 1946.  It will ease the commute to Haifa Bay and also become a tourist attraction.

24 solutions for California’s drought.  (TY Hazel) The Israeli Economy Ministry’s NewTech program brought 24 Israeli companies to the Israel-California Water Conference in San Diego to offer water storage, management, treatment, recycling and leak detection solutions.  http://www.jpost.com/Business-and-Innovation/Environment/Israel-leading-a-water-revolution-in-arid-California-457930

Transportation solution is up in the air.  Here is the latest news about Israel’s SkyTran – the magnetic levitation monorail that will whisk commuters to work at speeds of up to 250km per hour high above congested roads.  I’m looking forward to its installation in Netanya in the not too distant future.

Turning the tables on the bad guys.  (TY Atid-EDI) Israeli cybersecurity company GuardiCore helps shut security breaches in data centers. It also eliminates “false-positives”, vastly speeding up problem analysis.  Guardicore has just raised $50 million to help R&D and expand its commercial reach.

An app to make work simpler.  (TY Atid-EDI) Israel’s Capriza puts your company’s core applications onto your smartphone, making it easy to do business inside and outside your organization. Capriza has just raised $23 million in new funding to support its growing momentum and rapid customer adoption.

Mega Internet speeds for Ghana and Angola.  (TY Atid-EDI) AfricaOnline Ghana has selected and deployed the JET 3.5 GHz Point-to-Multipoint broadband solution from Israel’s Radwin to cover the capital Accra and then Kumasi, Takoradi and Tamale. Meanwhile, Internet Technologies Angola (ITA) has deployed a national network using RADWIN’s Point-to-MultiPoint solutions.

Never leave your child in the car.  (TY Karen) I featured the BaPeep car alarm previously (July 2014) that reminds you to take your baby out of the car.  Israel’s 2Find, however, is a small chip you can put on the baby. Too much distance between the baby and the parent and it sends an alert to the mobile phone of the parent.

A Master’s in wine cultivation.  (TY Dan) The Hebrew University of Jerusalem is launching an international MSc program in viticulture and enology. The first of its kind in Israel, the program aims to provide professional training in the growth, production, analysis and management of wine. http://www.jpost.com/Business-and-Innovation/Health-and-Science/Hebrew-U-to-offer-Israels-first-masters-in-wine-cultivation-464501


ECONOMY & BUSINESS

Unemployment down, growth up.  Israel's unemployment rate fell to a new all-time low of 4.7% in July.  The rate of participation in the workforce rose, to 64.4% from 64.1% in June. And (TY Dan) Standard and Poor’s confirmed Israel’s A+ credit rating with growth exceeding expectations and consumption soaring.  http://www.globes.co.il/en/article-unemployment-in-israel-falls-to-new-low-1001147453

More planes for India.  (TY Dan) Israel’s HR Givon (Givon), manufacturer of metallic parts and assemblies for the Aerospace industry, has been bought by India’s Wipro Infrastructure Engineering (WIN) one of the largest independent hydraulic actuator manufacturers in the world. 

Encouraging green investment.  (TY Atid-EDI) ImpactNetwork, the world largest network of green and social startups, is launching activities in Israel.  Impact Network will work in partnership with Impact First Investments and TechForGood.

Another hi-tech R&D center. (TY Dan) Teridion, the US cloud-based networking company that delivers fast Internet experience, has announced its new Research & Development center in Israel, tripling the size of the former local office and getting ready for new hires.

Helping Gujarat expand its eco-system. A 13-person government and business leaders’ delegation from the the Indian state of Gujarat have been visiting Israel, to strengthen economic and social ties between the two countries.  http://www.timesofisrael.com/gujarat-team-seeks-ventures-inspiration-in-israel/

Making shipping easier and cheaper.  (TY SDM) I reported on Israel’s Freightos previously (in Oct 2015).  Now Freightos has set up the world’s first online web market place for international freight - giving businesses instant comparisons, booking, and management of freight services from multiple logistics providers.

Frutarom gets a taste of the Irish.  Israeli flavors company Frutarom continues to expand by purchasing Irish savory taste solutions firm Redbrook for 40 million Euros.  Redbrook doubled growth in 3 years to 22.7 million Euros.  It is Frutarom’s sixth acquisition of 2016.

Indian winners of Start-up Tel Aviv.  (TY Dan) Israel’s ambassador to India Daniel Carmon has announced the winners of the India leg of the Start Tel Aviv contest.  Two women entrepreneurs - Komal Talwar, of Xlpat Labs, and Mausumi Acharyya, of Advenio will be flown to Israel for the five-day startup program at Tel Aviv.

40 types of fruit.  (TY Dan) Israel grows more than 40 types of fruit and is one of the world's leading fresh citrus producers and exporters, including oranges, grapefruit, tangerines and the pomelit, a hybrid of a grapefruit and a pomelo, developed in Israel. Israel is also one of the world’s top two exporters of olives.


CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT & SPORT

How amazing is Israel.  (TY Avi) In under 3 mins, this video shows how easy tourists can go from Israel’s holy sites through to experiencing floating in the Dead Sea, skiing, Tel Aviv, wineries, clubs, bars, hiking, the desert, the beaches, Masada, the people and of course the food.  And it’s so safe.

Judo Olympic medalist raises $50,000 for charity.  (TY Steve) Israeli Judoka Olympic bronze medalist Yarden Gerbi auctioned her signed Olympic uniform nametag and raised 196,000 shekels (over $50,000) to support children suffering from cancer at the Dana Children’s Hospital in Tel Aviv.

One of the best dressed Olympic teams.  (TY Nevet) They didn’t win a medal for it, but the outfits of Israel’s Olympic team were impressive.  Their stylish blue-and-white athletic jackets were a real hit.


THE JEWISH STATE

Honoring Israel’s rescue forces.  Knesset members from across Israel’s political spectrum gave an official salute and thanks to Israel’s United Hatzalah and Israel’s search and rescue teams. MK Nurit Koren said, “The scholars of the Talmud coined the term ‘he who saves a life it’s as if he saved an entire world’.

Israeli nurse to Israeli nurse – a love story.  Nurse Elie Schiff dedicated her Aliya to Israeli nurse Dafna Meir, who was murdered by a Palestinian Arab terrorist in Jan 2015. Her connection to Dafna continues to inspire her now that she has met the family and attended the Bat Mitzva of Dafna’s daughter Noa.

Ancient frescos discovered in the Galilee.  1900-year-old frescos (wall paintings) have been unearthed at Zippori, the Jewish capital of the Galilee that was home to many Jewish inhabitants throughout the Roman period.  The frescos are the first, only and earliest evidence of figurative images in wall paintings at the site.

Floor tiles from the 2nd Temple. The Temple Mount Sifting Project has identified some 600 lavish stone floor tile fragments believed to have decorated the Second Temple in Jerusalem. They were found in rubble dumped by the Arab Waqf following illegal building on the Temple Mount in 2004.

Mosaic United.  Mosaic United, formerly the Israel-Diaspora Initiative, is investing millions of dollars into strengthening Diaspora Jewry and its engagement with the State of Israel. Its first project is a series of grants to Chabad on Campus, Hillel International and Olami.  http://mosaicunited.org/our-vision/#our-mission

                                                                                                                                                    

160828


In the 28th Aug 16 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:

·         An Israeli-led study has discovered chemicals to stop melanoma spreading.
·         Israeli surgeons saved the life of an Afghan boy.
·         Israelis are building shelters for victims of the Italian earthquake.
·         An Israeli startup uses Artificial Intelligence to increase crop yields.
·         Israel is first to produce a robot that can crawl, climb and swim.
·         A 2000-year-old synagogue has been unearthed in the Galilee.

·         Click here to see the 14th August newsletter on IsraelSeen, IsraPundit, Janglo and United With Israel with features on Health, Inclusiveness, . Also (TY Sandra) available in German and (TY Karen) available in Portuguese.  Please promote the terrific work of these volunteers by passing their links onto German and Portuguese readers.

Page Down for details on these and more good news stories from Israel.  Thank You to all who have sent me links to many of these positive news articles.  Apologies for the late publication due to my travelling computer having been repaired in the UK. The good news is that it is now running faster than ever before and I hope to catch up when I return to Israel in September.  Please use IsraelActive to search the archives.


ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS

Breakthrough in search for melanoma cure.  Researchers, led by Tel Aviv University’s Dr. Carmit Levy, have unraveled the metastatic mechanism of melanoma (how it spreads to other organs).  They have also crucially found chemical substances that can stop the process - promising news for future treatments.

New treatment for fatty liver disease.  (TY Karen) Hadasit, the Hadassah Medical Organization’s technology transfer company, and Israel’s BioLineRx are to develop a treatment BL-1210 for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) or fatty liver disease.  It modulates the immune system to reduce scarring that leads to cirrhosis.  There is currently no FDA approved treatments.  http://www.hadassah.org/news-stories/NASH-liver-disease.html

Physiotherapy using Virtual Reality.  Israeli startup VRPhysio matches virtual reality and physiotherapy to help patients exercise and speed up recovery.  The system includes a headset, a mobile app, weights and body sensors to monitor body movement and a set of virtual reality games that aim to make exercising more fun.

A device to cure pelvic floor prolapse.  (TY Dan) Israel’s POP Medical has obtained US FDA approval for the marketing of its medical device for treatment of pelvic floor prolapse. 20% of the women in the world suffer from this condition at any given moment, and 30% at some time in their lives.

Diagnosing sleep apnea in pregnancy.  (TY Nevet) 25% of pregnant women may suffer from Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) but receive no treatment.  Now researchers from Israel and the USA recommend a new diagnosis, ‘‘Gestational Sleep Apnea” (GSA) to properly describe, diagnose and treat OSA in pregnant women,

Helping the visually impaired.  (TY Nevet) Israeli startup RenewSenses develops the EyeCane, a small flashlight-like device that translates distance into sound and vibrations. Also EyeMusic which translates color and shape into music. RenewSenses has just joined Brainnovation - Israel’s Brain Technologies accelerator.

New soft material for artificial limbs.  Researchers at Tel Aviv University and in the Netherlands have developed a breakthrough material that can be “morphed” into any shape.  The programmable metamaterial could be ideal for prostheses or wearable technology in which a close fit with the body is important.

Cardiac surgery saves Afghan boy’s life.  (TY Ron) A covert operation has ensured that Yehia (born with multiple heart defects) is the first Afghan to have been treated by Israel’s Save a Child’s Heart organization, joining over 4,000 children from over 50 other countries who have been saved by SACH.


ISRAEL IS INCLUSIVE AND GLOBAL

100 teachers for Israeli special needs kids.  (TY Eli) TALMA, the Israel Program for Excellence in English, has brought some 100 teachers from English speaking countries to Israel to teach English as a Second Language to underprivileged elementary school pupils.

Nursing scholarships for 18 Ethiopians. (TY Karen) Eighteen Ethiopian young men and women have received Lapan scholarships to fulfill their dream of becoming nurses.  The Hadassah program helps new immigrants, provides jobs, and strengthens health care in Jerusalem.

Innovation for all.  (TY Dan) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Reuben Rivlin and ex-President Shimon Peres laid the cornerstone for the Israeli Innovation Center.  Thousands of interactive screens, will showcase the Start-up Nation and host an entrepreneurial hub for Israelis of all ethnic and social groupings.

Israeli and Palestinian Arab joint water programs.  (TY Dan) Whilst the global media misreports water issues in the Palestinian territories, the UK is funding two joint Israeli-PA water research programs.  “Stream” finds solutions to water problems.  “Growth” brings Palestinian Arabs to Israeli labs to study water technology.

Palestinian Arabs prefer Israeli employers.  (TY Adela) A new Palestinian Media Watch report reveals the truth that Palestinian Arabs rather work for Israelis than the Palestinian Authority. Israelis pay twice the wages; Israeli law protects employees (no exploitation or middlemen) and Israeli working conditions are much better.

Sodastream hires hundreds of Arabs.  Israel’s Sodastream was subjected to major boycott campaign when it employed hundreds of Palestinian Arab workers at its Maale Adumim site.  Since that factory closed, it has moved to the Negev where it now employs hundreds of Bedouin Arabs.

No hardship here.  Dulan abu-Saleh, the mayor of Majdal Shams, the largest Druze town in the Golan, told Makor Rishon that the UN Economic and Social Council’s recent statement on the area was “a total joke.” UNESCO had accused Israel of imposing economic and social hardships on his community.

The best university in the Middle East.  (TY Nevet) The Center for World University Rankings, based in Saudi Arabia, has ranked The Hebrew University of Jerusalem at number 26 of the 25,000+ degree-granting institutions in the world. The annual rankings also place the Hebrew University at number 1 in the Middle East. https://www.afhu.org/center-for-world-university-rankings-lists-hebrew-university-1-in-middle-east-26-worldwide/about

The 6th best international airport hub.  (TY Nevet) Everyone knows that Ben-Gurion International Airport is one of the most secure airports in the world (see here) and the best in the Middle East .  Now a recent poll of Travel+Leisure readers’ has ranked it as the world’s sixth best global air hub.

Friendship with Kurdistan.  For centuries, Kurdistan was once home to thousands of Kurdish Jews.  Nowadays, the Kurds tend to see Israel as a role model for an independent Kurdistan; a small nation surrounded by enemies and bolstered by a strategic partnership with the United States.

The first to give aid to Italy.  A team of 20 Israeli volunteers from IsraAID is the first foreign NGO to arrive in quake-struck Italy. IsraAID is building temporary shelters for homeless families, distributing food and other items, and providing grief counseling. Israel has also offered to send search and rescue teams.


SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Gene sequencing ancient barley.  (TY Eli) Scientists from Israel, Germany, the USA and UK have genetically sequenced 6000-year-old barley seeds discovered in the Yoram cave in Israel’s Judean Desert. The DNA-analysis will provide essential information as to the origin, domestication and spread of crop plants.

Artificial Intelligence to grow better crops.  Israeli startup Prospera uses artificial intelligence to help farmers better monitor their crops.  Using in-field cameras and climatic sensors, farmers can irrigate, manage pesticides and fertilizers to achieve maximum crop yields. Prospera has just raised $7 million of funding.

Israeli smart glass for Mercedes cars.  I reported previously (Sep 2013) about Israeli startup Gauzy and its innovative glass that goes from transparent to opaque and back again.  Now Gauzy has been selected to take part in Mercedes-Benz’s accelerator program.  Gauzy already has offices in Israel, Hungary and Los Angeles.

Here’s looking at you.  I reported previously (in June 2015) on Israeli startup FST Biometrics and its ability to recognize individuals from facial images, voice analytics and behavior.  Recent attacks in Europe have prompted a huge rise in demand for FST’s identification technology.

Games to help learn Math.  Israeli startup Matific develops educational math and science games for children in kindergarten and elementary school.  It enables students in 20 countries to access superior math tools in 20 languages at an affordable cost.  Matific has just raised $45 million of funding to expand distribution and R&D.

Engie on TV.  (TY Karen) I featured previously (Jun 2015) Engie – the Israel startup which provides an app that connects to your car via Bluetooth and diagnoses mechanical faults.  It then helps you contact the repair shops that can fix your problem efficiently at the lowest price.  Engie was just featured on Israel’s ILTV daily.

Robot can crawl, climb and swim.  (TY Nevet) Engineers at Ben-Gurion University have developed a 3D-printed robot called SAW (Single Actuator Wave-like) that can move quickly, forward or backward, in a wave-like motion over unstable terrain.  It can even be miniaturized for travelling internally through the human body.


ECONOMY & BUSINESS

More efficient deliveries.  (TY Dan) Israeli startup Bringoz helps its clients deliver purchases to customers in the most efficient way.  Bringoz’s algorithms organize couriers to combine shipments to avoid unnecessary transportation costs.  They take into account urgency, route, volume, weather and more.

The Australians are landing.  A delegation of 10 Australian cybersecurity and fintech startups will take part in an accelerator program in Tel Aviv in September to boost Sydney’s position as an innovation hub.  It is part of the Australian Government’s Landing Pads initiative to promote innovation and entrepreneurship in Australia.

Support Israel – buy an ibox.  (TY Adela) Now you can counter BDS attempts to boycott Israeli goods by ordering an ibox.  The ibox is a surprise box consisting of Israeli products, that is delivered to your door.  The specialty ibox will let you hear, taste, see, smell and feel Israel. Profits will benefit organizations fighting BDS.

Hi-tech mutual funds to benefit Israeli investors.  The Israeli Government is promoting mutual funds for investing in public and private high-tech companies.  In this way, the Israeli public can participate in Israel’s high-tech sector – an area dominated previously by overseas shareholders.

Israel’s economy is an island of stability.  Ambassador Yoram Ettinger’s latest report shows Israel is one of the top five world high-tech powers thanks to billion-dollar investments by Apple, USA, China, Russia and India.  GDP has doubled since 2006, FX reserves are over $90 billion, unemployment is falling, etc. etc.  Jonathan Adelman also writes a very positive analysis “Israel emerges as a player on the World stage”.

Oxford University press – latest news.  (TY Dan) I reported previously (Feb 7) on the digitizing tie-up between Oxford University press and Israeli start-ups Tiny Tap, Kidoz, and Total Boox.  Here is how they have been progressing.  http://publishingperspectives.com/2016/07/israeli-startups-oxford-university-press/

Fly from Terminal 1.  (TY Janglo) After the new Terminal 3 was opened in 2004, Terminal 1 has been used initially only for domestic flights and check-in, border control and security for international flights. Passengers are bused to Terminal 3 to board the plane.  But in summer 2017, passengers could board flights at Terminal 1, eat at restaurants and shop at duty free stores.  http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4835318,00.html


CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT & SPORT

Israeli designer has 4 London shows.  (TY SDM) Israeli artist, architect and designer Ron Arad has three major public artworks on display in London, plus a solo exhibition at a Mayfair gallery. His exhibit “Spyre” is a 16-meter high, constantly moving steel sculpture in the Royal Academy’s Annenberg Courtyard.

Take a bite of Haifa.  (TY Jacques) A new special sightseeing tour is aimed to show that Haifa has much more to offer than the visit of the famous Bahai Gardens: With the Haifa Street Food tours you can experience the city with your taste buds.  http://israelbetweenthelines.com/2016/08/04/take-a-bite-of-haifa/

The vibrant flavors of Israeli food.  (TY SDM) The UK’s Telegraph featured the new East-London restaurant “Struck & Cluck” owned by Israel’s Amir Chen.  It also mentioned Barbary in Covent Garden, Honey & Co in Warren Street and Shwarma Bar in Exmouth Market – all run by Israelis.  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/food-and-drink/features/a-cuisine-without-borders-the-vibrant-flavours-of-israeli-food-i/

If I forget you, Jerusalem.  (TY Janglo) A beautiful rendition of “Im Eshkachech Yerushalayim” (If I forget you Jerusalem) by KOLture Shock. Signalling the end of the sadness of the Three Weeks between the fasts of Tammuz and Av. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulNTsAQbMsc

Jessye Norman receives Wolf Prize for music.  (TY SDM) 70-year-old American-born iconic opera singer Jessye Norman received Israel’s coveted Wolf Prize for Music. Poor health prevented her from collecting it last year and she almost missed out again this year, arriving in an electric wheelchair after fracturing her ankle.


THE JEWISH STATE

Home for all Jews - plus.  Arifa and Assad Farajov recently immigrated to Israel from Azerbaijan.  Arifa, the wife, is Jewish and a lecturer in Russian literature. Assad, her husband, is Muslim - a former military judge who says “I've fallen in love with Israel.”  Arifa’s grandmother was a Rabbi’s daughter who also married a Muslim.

Be fruitful and multiply.  The average Israeli household has three children, nearly double the OECD average.  But it puts a strain on the childcare system.  Israel’s oldest charity, Colel Chabad runs a network of daycare centers across Israel.  They provide children nutritious breakfasts, lunches and snacks six days per week.

Nine new Rabbinical judges.  (TY Sharon) For the first time in nine years, nine new dayanim (Rabbinic judges) were appointed to the Supreme Rabbinical Court - Israel's highest. They include Rabbis who have served in the IDF.  The appointments committee included its first female member, Dr Rachel Levmore.

Jerusalem, old and new.  (TY Sharon) The Talpiot neighborhood of Jerusalem used to be known mostly for its garages.  But as another tech startup initiative opened in the area, the garages are being replaced with modern office buildings and showrooms.  https://rjstreets.com/2016/07/28/jerusalem-old-and-new/

2000-year-old synagogue unearthed.  The remains of a structure that served as a synagogue during Second Temple times have been unearthed in an archaeological excavation at Tel Rechesh in the heart of the Nahal Tavor Nature Reserve in Israel’s lower Galilee. Eight 2nd Temple synagogues have been discovered in Israel.



160814


In the 14th Aug 16 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:

·         A new Israeli treatment can prevent damage from strokes.
·         Israeli helicopters evacuated 8 wounded Syrians including 2 children.
·         Israel is helping Cameroon to prevent the spread of bird flu.
·         An Israeli startup can identify a sweet watermelon from its photo.
·         One of Israel’s oldest companies is building roads in Colombia.
·         Two Israeli judokas have won Olympic medals.

·         My latest Israel Good News feature.  Click here for “Funny but True”.  Also published on the Jerusalem Post, IsraelSeen, San Diego Jewish World and United With Israel websites.

·         Click here to see the 31st July newsletter on IsraelSeen, Ruthfully Yours, IsraPundit, Janglo and United With Israel.  Also (TY Sandra) available in German and (TY Karen) available in Portuguese.  Please promote the terrific work of these volunteers by passing their links onto German and Portuguese readers.

Page Down for details on these and more good news stories from Israel.  Thank You to all who have sent me links to many of these positive news articles.  Due to computer problems in the UK, the newsletter is shorter than usual. I’ll catch up when I return to Israel in September.  Please use IsraelActive to search the archives.


ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS

Countering the effects of strokes.  (TY Eli) Israeli biotech Pambio is developing a treatment that prevents bleeding and subsequent damage from brain hemorrhages.  No existing treatment exists.  Pambio has just received $7 million of funding.  http://www.geektime.com/2016/07/18/nazareth-based-startup-pambio-raises-7-million-to-battle-long-term-effects-of-stroke/

There is no “good” cholesterol.  Scientists at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, including Professor Jeremy Kark and Dr Chobufo Dita from Cameroon, have confirmed in tests on 504 Arabs and Jews that small dense protein-rich high-density lipoprotein particles (MS-HDL-P) protects against coronary heart disease and not cholesterol-rich HDL-C.  http://new.huji.ac.il/en/article/32119

Using prawns to fight deadly parasite.  Researchers at Israel’s Ben Gurion University are studying how to use male prawns in Africa to kill the parasitic worm that causes Schistosomiasis (Bilharzia).  The disease affects 200 million people worldwide, coming only second to Malaria in terms of the devastation it causes.

Sleep Apnea device approved for teens.  The US FDA has approved the use of the WatchPAT Sleep Apnea device from Israel’s Itamar Medical being extended to adolescents of twelve years old and above.  Previously, WatchPAT was only approved for use on those aged seventeen and above.

The secrets of antisocial behavior.  Scientists at Israel’s Weizmann Institute have discovered in laboratory tests that the molecule Urocortin-3 acts as a “social switch”.  High concentrations the molecule increases social interactivity, but blocking the molecule turns the subject into reclusiveness.

The treatment that will cure MS and ALS and more.  (TY Nevet) Very uplifting article by Paul Alster on the trials at Jerusalem’s Hadassah Medical Center of stem cell treatments for Multiple Sclerosis, ALS (Lou Gehrig’s) and potentially other brain diseases and strokes.


ISRAEL IS INCLUSIVE AND GLOBAL

Bike paths for the disabled.  (TY SDM) Athletes with physical disabilities who use adaptive bicycles like hand cycles will now be able to utilize dozens of kilometers of bike paths thanks to a new 5.7-million shekel Accessible Cycling Complex at the National Sport Center in Tel Aviv’s Yarkon Park.

Israel’s Wonder Woman empowers women. (TY SDM) Gal Gadot, the Israeli actress who plays the role of Wonder Woman in the film Batman vs Superman, is the star of a new campaign to highlight the talents and uniqueness of Israeli women.  The video also features an IDF pilot, a business woman, a doctor and a surfer.

Still saving Syrian lives.  (TY SDM) In just one week, eight Syrians who were severely injured in artillery strikes on a hospital were evacuated by Israeli helicopters from Syria to Israel.  They included two children, aged 7 and 11.  Israel has treated 2,500 wounded Syrians over the past 3 years.

Solving Indian health problems.  The India Israel Affordable Healthcare Hackathon 22-24 July brought 600 participants to Tel Aviv, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Bangalore. They developed innovative ideas and prototyped solutions to address the healthcare challenges of lower-middle income communities in India.  Israeli teams won prizes for addressing malnutrition and hearing impairment.  http://www.med4dev.com/#!tel-aviv/r87q7

Helping fight bird flu in Cameroon.  (TY Dan) Israel has provided urgent assistance to Cameroon to help fight the spread of the bird-flu virus. The Israeli Embassy in Cameroon initiated and organized the arrival of emergency protective equipment.  http://cameroon-concord.com/business/item/6474-the-state-of-israel-has-provided-urgent-assistance-to-cameroon-to-help-fight-the-spread-of-the-bird-flu-virus


SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Hi-tech protects the Old City.  The Mabat 2000 observation and intelligence center counters crime and terror attacks in Jerusalem.  36 hi-tech touch screens receive real-time images from 320 CCTV cameras at the nine entrances to the Old City providing fast response data in any incident.  Police and homeland- security delegations from around the world regularly visit the facility.

Protecting hospital data. Israeli cybersecurity Votiro’s unique “zero-day” technology quarantines emails containing malicious software that locks hospital systems and issues ransom demands to unlock it.  Jerusalem’s Alyn Hospital for special needs children has just installed Votiro’s software to protect it against such threats.

Beginning of the end for supermarket checkout queues.  (TY Janglo) The barcode self-scanning and checkout payment smartphone app from Israeli startup SuperSmart could be the start of a revolution in Israeli grocery shopping.  The app is currently on trial at an Osher Ad supermarket branch in Tel Aviv.

A perfectly sweet watermelon.  Salah Abd Alhalem, Adam Garah and Ayman Sarha’an from Israel’s Technion Institute have invented a device that correlates a watermelon's internal and external appearance. Using three pictures of the melon at different angles, an algorithm determines its taste rating with 100% accuracy.

Alternative fuels summit.  Tel Aviv will host the fourth annual Fuel Choices Summit on 2-3 Nov. It will explore and exhibit innovation in alternative fuels and smart mobility.  Israel’s Prime Minister will award the 2016 Samson Prize for a major breakthrough in the field of alternative fuels for transportation. 

Two medals at Chemistry Olympiad.  (TY IsraelSeen) Israeli high school students Ron Solan and Rina Svotianovwon a silver and a bronze medal at the annual International Chemistry Olympiad which took place in the Georgian capital Tbilisi.  264 high students competed from 66 different countries.


ECONOMY & BUSINESS

Israeli and US minds combine.  "Excel Ventures," an extension of the specialized Birthright Israel Excel program, brought 10 American business students, and 10 Israeli ex-tech soldiers, together for a 10-week "start-up training boot camp" in the heart of Tel Aviv.  The Israelis bring their problem-solving skills and the Americans bring their business acumen.  http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/215762

Tax cut plans for hi-tech companies.  Israel’s Finance Ministry plans to cut corporate tax for multinational hi-tech companies that register their Intellectual Property in Israel.  The move would encourage large companies to move or continue with their Research & Development in Israel.

Israeli games company sold for $4.4 billion.  A Chinese consortium has bought Israel’s Playtika for $4.4 billion - the third largest sale in Israel’s history (TY Dan).  Playtika is based in Herzliya, but is owned currently by Caesar’s Interactive Entertainment.  Playtika’s games are played daily by over 6 million people in 190 countries, in 12 languages, and on at least 10 platforms.

Intel invests in 3 more Israeli startups.  Intel Capital, the global investment arm of the US-based chipmaker Intel Corp, has invested in three additional Israeli startups - Velostata, Panoply.io and Sedona Systems, for a total of $25 million.  Intel Capital has invested over $345 million in Israeli companies since 1997.

Fashion House reborn after 62 years.  (TY Dan)  Fashion house Maskit was founded in 1954 by Ruth Dayan - wife of Moshe Dayan.  Then in 2011, young Israeli designer Sharon Tal, inspired by the dress worn by Kate Middleton at her wedding with Prince William, contacted Ruth (then nearly 100) and Maskit was relaunched.

Building roads in Colombia.  Israel’s Shikun & Binui is to build a 100-mile (154km) toll road near Bogota, the capital of Colombia in South America.  The contract is worth around $640 million.

Enabling financial services for micro-businesses.  (TY SDM) Israeli startup Sling has been bought by Brazilian Avante.  Sling allows independent traders to access essential business financial services direct from their smartphones.  Sling was extremely popular in Israel and plans to service 10,000 merchants in Brazil.


CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT & SPORT

Santana’s amazing concert.  Carlos Santana performed in front of 25,000 fans in Tel Aviv’s Yarkon Park.  Israellycool has published dozens of video clips. Santana’s encore included “Exodus” and “Hava Nagila”.

Get to know Tel Aviv.  (TY Nevet) Forbes journalist Breanna Wilson recommends Tel Aviv as the destination of the year.  She particularly liked the hotels, food and Neve Tzedek - one of the oldest and now trendiest districts in town.  http://www.forbes.com/sites/breannawilson/2016/06/08/get-to-know-tel-aviv-3-things-not-to-miss-in-israels-coolest-city

Stoudemire to play basketball in Israel.  Former NBA star Amar’e Stoudemire has signed to play for the Hapoel Jerusalem basketball team for two years. “My family and I are excited to start a new journey in Israel, a country I have grown to love,” he said.  Stoudemire, 33, retired from the NBA after a 14-year career.

The first Israeli NASCAR driver.  I reported previously (Feb 2012) that an Israeli team had joined the NASCAR racing league.  On Aug 13, Alon Day became the first Israeli driver to compete in the NASCAR league, taking part in the Xfinity Series race at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.

Israel wins two Olympic medals. Israeli judokas won two bronze medals at the Rio Olympics – the first medals since 2008.  Yarden Gerbi won bronze in the women’s under 63kg class.  And Ori Sasson won bronze in the men’s over 100kg event. 


THE JEWISH STATE

Against the odds, victim recovers.  Tzvika Cohen returned home from hospital, five and a half months after being brutally attacked by an axe-wielding Arab terrorist.  Doctors had predicted that Tzvika might never wake up (he was comatose for 3 weeks) or be paralyzed for life.  He is now able to walk and shower on his own.

1000 FSU Birthright participants celebrate Israel.  1000 Russian-speaking Birthright Israel participants celebrated Israel as a land of diversity and opportunity at the Wohl Centre in Ramat Gan.  Around 45,000 Russian-speaking young adults have experienced Israel through Taglit-Birthright over the past 16 years.

That’s what I call a welcome.  When the Weisel family from New Jersey arrived on Aliya to their new home in Moreshet, they received a tremendous welcome from the townspeople.



160731


In the 31st July 16 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:

·         Europe and the US have approved innovative Israeli compact MRI scanners.
·         The IDF’s new Chief Medical Officer is a Druze Arab.
·         Israeli students used an Israeli satellite to take a selfie from space.
·         Israeli drip irrigation is revolutionizing mushroom farming.
·         An Israeli security surveillance system will protect Uruguay.
·         The first Israeli woman to win a European championship athletics medal.
·         Mosaics depicting Biblical scenes were found at a 1600-year-old Galilee Synagogue.

·         Click here to see the 24th July newsletter on IsraelSeen, Janglo and United With Israel with extra features on Health, Global impact. Technology and Jewish State.  Also (TY Sandra) available in German and (TY Karen) available in Portuguese.  Please promote the terrific work of these volunteers by passing their links onto German and Portuguese readers.

Page Down for details on these and more good news stories from Israel.  Thank You to all who have sent me links to many of these positive news articles.  Due to high volumes, some have been held over until next week.
Please use IsraelActive to search the archives.


ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS

The power to see inside.  (TY Atid-EDI & Dan) Israel’s Aspect Imaging develops small, affordable and innovative MRI scanners.  Its non-claustrophobic WristView scans limbs (e.g. wrist and hand) and Embrace scans newborns.  WristView has just received the European CE Mark, to add to its existing US FDA approval.

Good feelings can kill bacteria.  (TY Nevet) Scientists at Israel’s Technion Institute have stimulated the feel-good center in mice and discovered that their immune cells were able to kill twice as much bacteria than those of non-stimulated mice.  The results, published in nature medicine, could explain the placebo effect.

New treatment for cancer.  (TY Atid-EDI) Israel’s Rosetta Genomics has received a patent for its miR-34 treatments of p53-negative cancers including lymphoma, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, liver cancer, skin cancer, certain types of lung cancer, and others. 

A better test for prostate cancer.  Israeli founded Cleveland Diagnostics (CDX) is developing a technology and test kit that can eradicate inconclusive prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests. CDX says it will save the $4000 cost per negative biopsy, currently necessary in 70% of current testing.

And another one.  Israel’s Micromedic Technologies (part of Israel’s Bio-Light Life Sciences) reported positive results in a trial of its prostate cancer diagnosis solution.  Its CellDetect technology was used to diagnose samples from 18 patients and healthy subjects, and both groups were accurately diagnosed.

Another step forward in fighting melanoma.  Almost a year ago (see here) Tel Aviv University researchers found what triggers melanoma cells to become malignant tumors in the brain.  Now they have uncovered an early warning of that event by detecting the brain’s inflammatory response to microscopic invading tumor cells.

Upgraded spine surgery robots.  (TY Atid-EDI) Israel’s Mazor Robotics has launched FDA-approved Mazor X, “a transformative platform for spine surgeries”.  Mazor’s current range guides surgeons in spine operations. The new platform also helps planning through to verification.  Israel’s Medtronic has already bought 15.

Snack vegetables to replace fast foods.  (TY Dan) Israel’s Origene Seeds is developing a range of snack vegetables which aim to replace fast food snacks.  The “Sweet Drops” mini-size cucumbers and peppers have a long shelf-life and will be marketed in special packets as "Finger Food" for work, school or leisure.


ISRAEL IS INCLUSIVE AND GLOBAL

Israel’s first deaf EMT.  Nechama Loebel, deaf since birth, has become the first deaf person to successfully become an Emergency Medical Technician in Israel.  She works for United Hatzalah and will be provided with alternate solutions to the audible stimuli that are necessary to properly treat injured and sick people at the scenes of medical emergencies.  http://israelrescue.org/blog/united-hatzalah-graduates-first-deaf-emt-in-israel/

The first woman in charge of a power plant.  (TY Nevet) Rinat Avrahami Karniel is the first woman in Israel to become a power plant director. She has been appointed head of Ashkelon’s Rutenberg Power Station – one of the two largest in Israel.   Rinat has two master’s degrees and has worked for Israel Electric for 20 years.

Druze officer heads IDF Medical Corps.  (TY Nevet) The IDF has named Dr. Badar Tarif from Israel's Druze Arab minority as its most senior medical official.  Dr Tarif will be promoted to Brigadier General and take up the post of IDF Chief Medical Officer. It is the first time a Druze will hold the position. (See him on youtube.) http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/214807

The world’s first blood bank for birds.  (TY Dan) Israel's Wildlife Hospital has opened a blood bank for birds that arrive injured to the country during migration.  Hospital veterinarians realized that they could better treat the birds if they had a blood bank for them because, much like humans, birds have different blood types.

Israel opens border for Syrian humanitarian aid.  For the first time since the Syrian civil war began, Israel has formally opened its border for delivering humanitarian aid into Syria.  Moti Kahana, founder of Israeli NGO Amaliah, said that medicines, food and schoolbooks are transferred into a “Safe Zone” around Quneitra.

Global diplomacy improvements.  (TY Dan) A summary of Israel’s improving relations with Africa, Latin America, China, India, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam, Cyprus, Greece, Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Russia and Turkey.  And excellent defense, security and intelligence cooperation with the USA.  http://www.globes.co.il/en/article-israel-adds-diplomatic-skill-to-its-armory-1001138089

Growing cooperation with Kazakhstan.  (TY Dan) Kazakhstan is likely to be the chief beneficiary of the free trade zone that Israel entered into in Nov 2015 with the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU). Israel imports over $1.4 billion worth of goods from Kazakhstan each year. Security cooperation is also at its highest level.

Technion students take selfie from space.  Students in International Space University’s Space Studies Program at Israel’s Technion Institute had a group selfie photo. It was taken from a height of 520 kilometers by the EROS-B satellite, built by Israel Aerospace Industries and operated by Israel’s ImageSat International.


SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Israeli medals at Physics and Math Olympiads.  (TY UWI) Israel was 19th of the 87 countries competing in the Physics Olympiad in Zurich, winning 3 silver medals and a bronze.  Israel was ranked 22nd among 109 countries that took part in the Mathematical Olympiad in Hong Kong, winning 3 silver and 3 bronze medals.

Genome mapped of durum wheat.  Israel’s NRGene made a major contribution to completion of the project to assemble the 12 billion base pairs of durum wheat genome - the source of semolina, the key ingredient of pasta.  It will result in better varieties of durum wheat - one of the world’s major food sources.

A concrete bench from a paper mold.  (TY Dan) Israel’s Skitza Print have used their Israeli Highcon Euclid digital cutting machine to produce a 4000-layer mold from recycled paper for a spectacular two-meter bench (entitled Morpheus) made from Israeli Eco-concrete.  The bench is being exhibited in Taipei until mid-August.

A trap for the hacker.  (TY Dan) Israeli cybersecurity firm Cymmetria uses deception to lead computer hackers into thinking they have the upper hand.  Cymmetria uses decoys and “digital breadcrumbs” to lure the hacker to its “MazeRunner” platform where they are detected and analyzed.

Transforming soil for building roads.  (TY Dan) Israel’s I-Tec-W holds a patent in 96 countries for its Zymtec soil stabilization technology that allows roads and buildings to be built ecologically.  The “Israelite” technology is currently being tested by Kenya in order to help construct 3,500 km of new road infrastructure.

The diamond business goes hi-tech.  (TY Dan) In May, Israel’s OGI Systems launched OGI Maximus - the first-in-the-world innovative scanner system for easily measuring extra-large rough diamonds.  Then in June, it announced OGI Solico – the first “magic box” that plans and then cuts rough diamonds.

Water difference.  (TY Harold) There is a lovely quote in Rowan Jacobsen’s latest article, inspired by his visit to Israel’s (and the world’s) largest water desalination plant at Sorek.  “A few miles from here (Syria) water disappeared and civilization crumbled. Here, a galvanized civilization created water from nothingness.”

Drip irrigation to save mushroom industry.  (TY Dan) Israeli water specialist Netafim has developed Mushroom Master - the world’s first drip irrigation system for mushrooms.  It reduces reliance on expensive heavy peat casing soil to hold large amounts of water.  Underground irrigation also avoids bacterial infestation.

Plants can take risks.  (TY SDM) A study by scientists at Israel’s Tel-Hai College and UK’s Oxford University found that pea plants will risk putting down roots into pots containing varying amounts of nutrients. They will take the “gamble” when their only other growth medium contains low amounts of nutrients.

Another power plant for South Africa.  (TY Atid-EDI) Israel’s Rioglass Solar has won a 70 million-shekels contract to provide receivers for a 100MW thermo-solar power plant to be built in South Africa.  It is Rioglass’s 3rd power plant project in South Africa.  Israel’s Brenmiller won a 4th project in June. (see 3rd July newsletter)

High speed wi-fi over the Niagara. (TY Atid-EDI)  Hornblower Niagara Cruises - the official Canadian Tour Boat operator in Niagara Falls - has deployed RADWIN’s FiberinMotion® mobility solution to provide high-speed wireless connectivity onboard its boats.


ECONOMY & BUSINESS

US invests in Israeli emergency response.  The Israel-U.S. Binational Industrial R&D (BIRD) Foundation is to invest $1.9 million in 2 new projects to foster advanced technologies for First Responders.  The program was established by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Israeli Ministry of Public Security.

How to get things moving.  (TY Janglo) Movir is Israel’s first and only moving app.  Need to move one or multiple items from one location to another? Use Movir – it’s as easy as ordering a taxi.

Low cost way to move money to Israel.  (TY Dan) Joseph Sokol’s startup, OlehPay, is a payments website that enables users to inexpensively transfer dollars to Israeli shekel bank accounts.  It is free for debit cards and makes no charge to the recipient.  It claims to beat the rate consumers get from many financial institutions.

Italian energy company starts Tel Aviv hub.  Italy’s Enel, a multinational energy producer, has opened the first and the largest innovation hub to be launched by an Italian company in Israel.  The hub will foster up to 20 startups in technologies from cyber security to big data, smart metering, digital technology and analytics.

Ebay buys another Israeli startup.  Ebay has made another Israeli investment, (see also here) acquiring SalesPredict, maker of technology that is able to track consumer behavior and preferences when shopping online.  Some of SalesPredict’s employees will move to eBay’s Israeli Development Center in Netanya.

Israel buys services on Israeli satellites.  (TY Atid-EDI) The State of Israel is paying $63 million over five years to Israel’s Spacecom Satellite Communications for communications services on its Amos satellites.  Israel has an option to extend the contract for another eight years at a cost of an additional $101 million.

Sorek power plant begins operations.  (TY Atid-EDI) Israel’s Sorek desalination plant will produce cheaper water thanks to a new local ($200 million, 140MW) power plant fueled by natural gas from Israel’s Tamar gas fields.  The power plant will additionally fuel local factories.

Keeping an eye on Uruguay.  (TY Atid-EDI) Israel’s Elbit Systems is to provide a Safe District project for the Maldonado District Administration in Uruguay. It includes a command and control system, plus over 1000 cameras and sensors, including vehicle traffic control, spanning 2000 sq. km across six municipal authorities.

Travel accelerator is launched.  (TY Dan) In May 2015, El Al began its “Cockpit” hub to help entrepreneurs develop solutions for the travel industry. (see here) Now it has launched Navigator – an accelerator program for those startups.  http://www.cockpitinnovation.com/navigator#about-the-navigator


CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT & SPORT

Top 10 fashion school.  (TY Dan) Israel’s Shenkar College of Engineering, Design and Art was ranked 9th in Fashionista.com’s annual survey of the world’s best fashion schools.  The survey gauged tuition costs, alumni success, student feedback, faculty quality, training, social life, career counseling and financial aid options.

Jerusalem of Gold.  Naomi Shemer’s classic song with some outstanding video scenery.

Kenyan marathon runner competes for Israel. (TY Algemeiner) Kenyan-born marathoner Lonah Chemtai is to compete for Israel at the Rio Olympics.  Chemtai grew up a rural village in western Kenya and first came to Israel in 2009 to care for the children of her country’s ambassador to Israel.

Running for an Olympic medal.  Israel’s Donald Sanford won the bronze medal in the 400 meters’ sprint at the European Athletics Championship in 2014.  He is proud to represent Israel at the Rio Olympics. 

Israel’s swimming team.  Yakov Yan Toumarkin and Amit Ivry are two of Israel’s best hopes for swimming medals at the Rio Olympics.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQ4doAYSohE

European silver in triple-jump.  (TY SDM) Israeli triple jumper Hanna Knyazyeva-Minenko became only the second Israeli ever to win a medal at the European Athletics Championships, claiming a silver in Amsterdam.  She fouled in five of her six attempts, but in one she leaped 14.51 meters - her best result of the season.

Another rhythmic gymnastics gold.  Israel won the gold medal in the ribbons event at the International Federation of Gymnastics (FIG) World Cup Final in Rhythmic Gymnastics in Baku, Azerbaijan.  In addition, Israel won silver in the important group all-around category.  http://www.jewishpress.com/news/breaking-news/israeli-gymnasts-win-gold-in-baku-just-before-olympic-games-in-rio/2016/07/24/


THE JEWISH STATE

Academic excellence for Israeli orphans.  Further to the article last week (linked here), Colel Chabad - Israel’s longest continuously running charitable organization - has awarded another 85 orphaned students with scholarships (and funds) for academic excellence at a ceremony in Jerusalem.

Summer fun for children with cancer.  Scenes from last year’s summer activities that Israeli charity Ezer Mizion organized for children suffering from cancer.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4xb1uuSD6Q

More mosaics found in ancient Galilee synagogue.  (TY SDM) Archaeologists have uncovered mosaics depicting prominent Bible scenes during excavations in June of the 5th Century synagogue at Huqoq, in Israel's Lower Galilee. The scenes include Noah’s ark and the splitting of the Sea of Reeds.

Download the United With Israel iPhone app.  The world’s largest grassroots pro-Israel organization United With Israel invites you to take Israel with you - wherever you go!  Now you can REALLY make an impact by keeping up to date and helping to spread and defend the truth about Israel.



160724


In the 24th July 16 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:

·         An Israeli cream stimulates the immune system to regrow damaged skin.
·         Israeli aid workers are helping flood victims in Virginia.
·         Israel has restored diplomatic relations with Guinea.
·         An Israeli startup is to produce meat without harming animals.
·         An Israeli device lets you tap computer text on any surface.
·         40 years after Entebbe, Israelis are planning Uganda’s new airport.
·         Over 400 new immigrants to Israel have arrived from France and North America.
·         Biblical history is revealed at a huge Philistine cemetery in Southern Israel.

·         Click here to see the 10th July newsletter on IsraelSeen, Ruthfully Yours, Janglo and United With Israel with extra features on Health, Global impact. Technology and Culture.  Also (TY Sandra) available in German and TY Karen who has translated the 3rd July and 10th July newsletters into Portuguese – please promote the terrific work of these volunteers by passing their links onto German and Portuguese readers.

Page Down for details on these and more good news stories from Israel.  Thank You to all who have sent me links to many of these positive news articles.  Due to high volumes, some have been held over until next week.
Please use IsraelActive to search the archives.


ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS

More positive trials in ALS treatment.  (TY Nevet) Phase 2 US trials of a single dose of Nurown stem cell treatment from Israel’s Brainstorm on 48 patients suffering from ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) showed over 90% efficacy with no adverse effects. Multi-dosage trials can now take place.  (see results of Israeli trials here)

A molecule to protect the brain.  I reported previously (Feb 2014) about Hebrew University of Jerusalem scientists’ development of TXM peptides that can reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s and dementia in diabetics.  Latest HUJ research shows that TXM peptides can also protect the brain after mild traumatic brain injury.

Cream to heal wounds.  (TY Karen) Israeli startup Biotreat 21 has invented what it calls a miracle cream, claiming it could completely regrow damaged skin by utilizing one’s own immune system. Initial trials have erased scars and even healed severe diabetic ulcers. It is also anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and kills pain.

Regenerative medicine award for HU scientist.  Dr. Yosef Buganim, a research scientist at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, has been honored with the Boyalife Science & Science Translational Medicine Award in Stem Cells & Regenerative Medicine.  http://new.huji.ac.il/en/article/31872

Outreach award for neuroscience.  (TY Dan) The Federation of European Neuroscience Societies awarded the EDAB-FENS Brain Awareness Week Excellence Award for 2016 to The Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Sciences at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem.  FENS President Prof. Monica di Luca praised the HUJ for the imaginative ways it combines neuroscience research with the arts.  http://new.huji.ac.il/en/article/31700

Boosting immunity to fight cancer.  (TY Dan) Dr. Pinchas Tsukerman of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem has won a prestigious Kaye Innovation Award for developing novel monoclonal antibodies that can boost the immune system’s ability to destroy tumors.  http://new.huji.ac.il/en/article/31197

Rebuilding lives – with Lego and art.  The weekly Lego Workshop is an important part of Israeli charity Ezer Mizion’s extensive cancer support services for cancer patients (children and adults) and their families.  It is held at Ezer Mizion’s “Oranit” cancer patient guest home - a home away for home during outpatient treatment.  Also Ezer Mizion’s “Good Morning” visual art workshop that relieves some of the trauma from mothers with cancer.


ISRAEL IS INCLUSIVE AND GLOBAL

Technology training for all.  In 2003 non-profit organization Machshava Tova opened a tech room for low-income Ethiopian children in Jerusalem.  Today it has over 12 centers spanning the country, providing 30,000 children, teenagers, job seekers and special needs with computer literacy skills, irrespective of ethnicity.

A winning formula for coexistence.  “The Equalizer” is a national educational and sports organization that brings 2,300 children from 152 Israeli schools together through their love of soccer.  They include Muslims, Bedouins, Jewish immigrants, Druze, and even children of Eritrean refugees.

Druze women attract tourist trade.  (TY Steve) Dozens of Druze women are opening home-based businesses, in embroidery and in Druze traditional cuisine. In some cases, the women are the sole breadwinners in the family.  Israel’s Tourism Ministry provides courses in entrepreneurship and helps with advertising.

The first Israeli-Palestinian Arab mall.  Israeli developer and business guru Rami Levy is building the first Israeli-Palestinian Arab mall along the road between Jerusalem and Ramallah. His existing shopping centers and supermarkets in Judea and Samaria have become points of friendly interaction between Jews and Arabs.

Israeli female paramedics treating Syrian wounded.  The IDF treats hundreds of Syrians wounded in the ongoing civil war in that country; Two of the women who treat them when they first arrive at the border - Sgt. Rotem Einav and 2nd Lt. Leshem Shirgaouker describe the wounded they've seen, and the thrill of saving a life.

Aid for West Virginia flood victims.  (TY Karen) Israeli international relief organization IsraAid has been helping West Virginia homeowners with the tremendous amount of damage caused by flash floods in June that killed 23 people and destroyed hundreds of houses.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ko7kUFJeWQQ

Israeli AIDS solution extended to adolescents.  (TY Dan) The World Health Organization has expanded the use of the PrePex device made by Israel-based Circ MedTech, to all males over 13 years of age. Prepex allows medical workers in Africa to perform painless circumcisions to help stop the spread of AIDS. (see here)

Israel-Ghana friendship society.  Israel has launched a society that stresses mutual friendship between the Israeli Knesset and the parliament of Ghana. MK Avraham Nagosa will act as head of the society.  Inauguration guests included members of Ghana's parliament, Ghana’s ambassador to Israel and members of the Israel-Africa Chamber of Commerce.  http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/214847

Renewed ties with Guinea.  Israel has renewed diplomatic relations with the Republic of Guinea that were severed in 1967 after Israel’s Six-day War with the Arabs.  The West African state has 10.5 million citizens, over 85% of whom are Muslim.  http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/215285

First contact.  It has been reported that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently met with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of the African state of Somalia in the first high-level contact between the two countries.  http://www.timesofisrael.com/somalias-president-recently-held-first-ever-meeting-with-israeli-pm/

First visit by President of Paraguay.  Paraguay’s President Horacio Cartes met with Israeli President Reuven Rivlin on Monday in Jerusalem during a three-day visit.  Paraguay is one of Israel’s best allies in international forums.    http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Politics-And-Diplomacy/Paraguayan-President-rare-ally-in-South-America-arrives-for-visit-460635 http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_article.php?id=35071


SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Vegan-friendly kosher meat to save the planet.  Israeli startup SuperMeat is developing a method for bio-engineering “cultured meat” from animal cells. Its tagline: “Real meat, without harming animals.”  Vegan CEO Koby Barak says it will be kosher, vegan-friendly, prevent world hunger and stop global warming.  Wow!

Saving the world from hunger.  This NoCamels article features nine Israeli companies who are making major contributions to agriculture through their innovative technology.  These are Sensilize, BioBee, miRobot, Roots, Tal-Ya, Morflora, Netafim, GreenWall and EdenShield.

Farming in the Arava desert.  In southern Israel's Arava desert, thanks to innovative Israeli technology, strawberries, argan trees and sustainable fish thrive in some of the harshest environments.

Preventing accidents. (TY Dan & Atid-EDI) I featured previously (Oct 4) the dashcam app from Israel’s Nexar which records and reports bad driving.  App users have automatically profiled the driving behavior of over 7 million cars in San Francisco, New York, and Tel Aviv.  Nexar has just raised $10.5 million of funding.

Kwik delivery at the press of a button.  (TY Atid-EDI) Israeli starup Kwik has developed smart buttons, which let consumers order products from their home by pressing a button.  Kwik is working with Domino’s, Budweiser, Huggie’s and others.  Kwik has just raised $3 million to expand to the US.

Drone camera sees like a human.  (TY Dan) I reported previously (3rd Jan) on the RealSense camera technology developed by Intel Haifa.  Now Intel has installed the human-like depth perception technology into Typhoon H - a new drone developed by the Shanghai-based aerospace company Yuneec International.

Virtual Reality for the Chinese.  (TY Atid-EDI) Israeli startup WakingApp announced a full Mandarin language version of its successful ENTiTi Virtual Reality software for the Chinese market.  ENTiTi enables any company or individual to create interactive virtual and augmented reality content without any developer skills.

Protection from the Dark Web.  (TY Atid-EDI) Israeli cybersecurity startup Sixgill analyzes the mysterious Dark Web for information regarding upcoming hack attacks.  It enables organizations to prevent attacks against them and their employees.  Sixgill has just raised $5 million of new funding.

A keyboard on any surface.  (TY SDM) Israeli tech entrepreneur Ran Poliakine has developed the Tap Strap – a wearable device that senses finger movements and translates them into text from any surface to any smart device.  The Tap Strap sends a character or command to a device based on which fingers touched the surface.


ECONOMY & BUSINESS

$15 million agtech fund.  I reported previously (Apr 24) that International giant Bayer invested $10 million in a new fund to support Israeli agro-tech start-ups.  Now it has joined with Israel’s OurCrowd and DuPont to set up a new accelerator fund to finance early stage agricultural technology start-ups.

YotPo increases your business (and theirs).  (TY Atid-EDI) The latest news on Israeli company promotion startup YotPo since my Dec 2012 article (see here) – is that it tripled its revenue and customers last year, opened a New York office and is hiring 250 more employees.  It has also just raised $22 million of funding.

LightCyber enters Europe.  (TY Atid-EDI) I reported on Israeli award-winning cybersecurity startup LightCyber previously (this year) . The behavior attack detection solutions company has expanded its sales team by 150% and opened offices in the UK and mainland Europe.  It has also raised $20 million of funds.

The vast potential of Israel-Africa.  (TY IsraPundit) Barak Raz was in the business delegation accompanying Prime Minister Netanyahu’s visit of East African countries. Developing infrastructure, fighting desertification, telecommunications, agriculture, water, energy, homeland security - opportunities are endless.

Israeli company to plan the new Uganda.  (TY Dan) The Ugandan government has chosen Israel’s Tzamir Architects and City Planning to plan the massive reconstruction of Uganda’s infrastructure.  It includes the building of a new International airport.  http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4823576,00.html

New US-Israeli medical incubator.  (TY Dan) Cleveland Clinic, together with Israel’s Maccabi Healthcare Services, have been awarded an incubator franchise from the Israel Innovation Authority.  It will invest $40 million (including $25 million from the Israeli government) in Israeli startups over eight years.

Israeli startups head for Japan.  A delegation of 11 Israeli companies from the field of the Internet of Things will be part of an investors’ roadshow that will take place in Tokyo and Osaka. More than 200 meetings have been set up for the startups, including with Japanese conglomerates Fujitsu, NEC and Hitachi.

Virginia trade mission to Israel.  (TY Dan) US Governor Terry McAuliffe led a two-day marketing and trade mission to Israel. Whilst there, Governor McAuliffe announced an agreement between Virginia Tech and Israel’s TESSA Dairy Machinery to bring the Israel-based company's Mini Dairy to the university and help grow Virginia’s dairy fermentation industry.  https://vtnews.vt.edu/articles/2016/07/cals-minidairy.html

Canadian firm raises money in Israel.  (TY Dan) Toronto’s Skyline Investments Inc - a leading developer of hospitality properties and destination communities – is seeking to raise up to 140 million Israeli Shekels (about $45 million Canadian dollars) in the Israeli bond market. 

An all-Israeli exit.  Israel-founded NNG – developer of the popular iGO navigation app – has acquired Israeli startup Arilou – developer of cybersecurity for vehicles.  A newsletter debut for both companies.


CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT & SPORT

Is statue?  (TY SDM) It is the season of outdoor concerts and the Israel Museum’s sculpture garden is a magical spot for listening to music.  Meanwhile, in Tel Aviv some of the sculptures are not quite what they seem to be!  http://www.timesofisrael.com/singing-stars-come-out-at-night-among-israel-museum-sculptures/

Tel Aviv’s cool Yemeni village.  (TY SDM) The “Kerem”, the Yemenite village in the heart of Tel Aviv, is the most chilled, most authentic, and most easygoing area of town.

Israeli dance in the Galilee.  60 young dancers, from schools in the Misgav regional council of 35 small towns and communities in the Galilee, are performing at July’s three-day Carmiel Festival.  Misgav has some 340 dancers, from age 10 to adults, who entertain while dressed in distinctive, furry red hats.

Baby whale still in Israeli waters.  The 10m whale spotted off the Caesarea in June (see 19 June newsletter) has been visiting Tel Aviv and is now heading north to Haifa.  You can follow its progress on Facebook.

X-factor Israel star reaches new heights.  Over 665,000 Youtube viewers watched last year’s X-Factor Israel entry by Anna Timofei, who hit the top notes with her rendition of “The Phantom of the Opera”.  She achieved 3rd place in the Series 2 Final with “Memories”.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wroXwn6zcHQ

European youth chess champions.  (TY Karen) Israel won the 2016 European Youth (under 18) Team Chess Championships in Slovenia. Team Israel headed nine other countries, defeating Austria in the final round.


THE JEWISH STATE

Look what became of the Philistines.  Archaeologists digging at the southern coastal city of Ashkelon have discovered the first cemetery belonging to the Israelites’ Biblical enemy, the Philistines.  The cemetery dates between the 11th and 8th centuries BCE, may contain thousands of graves, and reveal many Philistine customs.

Rare Bar Kochba coin for sale.  (TY SDM) Winner's auction house is offering a unique item for sale: a silver shekel from the 4th year of the Bar Kochba rebellion against the Roman occupation of Judea.  The coin is rare as silver for minting coins was in short supply then.  It is expected to fetch between $28,000 and $32,000.

Seeking Western Sephardim.  The Avotaynu DNA Project organized by Israel’s Technion, seeks males who are direct paternal line descendants of members of the historic Western Sephardi communities of Amsterdam, London, Livorno, Venice, Bordeaux, Southwest France, Curacao, Suriname, and North America for a study of Western Sephardi paternal DNA lineages.  http://www.avotaynuonline.com/2016/07/avotaynu-dna-seeks-sephardi-study-participants/?ct=t(Weekly_Avotaynu_Digest4_2_2015)

Hebron, a microcosm of Jewish history and survival.  The city of Hebron has been in the news recently for tragic reasons due to the recent terror wave.  Here is a short history of the city from Biblical times until now.

Hospital summer camps.  Colel Chabad’s summer camp program for hospitalized Israeli children includes 45 pediatric beds at Barzilai Hospital in Ashkelon and 80 pediatric beds at Kaplan Hospital in Rehovot. The hospital camp activities revolve around arts and crafts and are fully funded by Colel Chabad. 

Scholarships for orphans.  (TY Sharon) Colel Chabad has also awarded 100 Israeli orphans with academic scholarships.  A special celebration was held at the Psagot Winery near Jerusalem.  The Chesed Menachem Mendel Awards help the child with tutoring, music lessons, summer camps and therapies in order to help them succeed in school and socially.  http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Helping-orphans-stay-in-school-460876

Saved by his dog tag.  Shrapnel from shots fired at an IDF post near Metulla on the northern border with Lebanon ricocheted off one the dog (identification) tags of a soldier guarding the post.  Military medics at the post inspected the soldier and found him unharmed.

The first Aliya flight of the Summer.  Israel welcomed 218 new immigrants (Olim) from North America as the summer season of Aliyah organized by Nefesh B'nefesh begins. 

French mass-Aliya flight arrives.  206 immigrants from France arrived in Israel in the largest-ever summer mass-aliyah from France.  They were met by Natan Sharansky – Head of the Jewish Agency, who danced with the new Olim.  Another 5,000 Jews from around the world plan to make Aliya this summer.



160710

In the 10th July 16 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:

·         An innovative Israeli device for those who cannot eat by mouth.
·         A new railway line from Haifa will take European goods to Arab countries.
·         An Israeli system uses natural plants to purify wastewater.
·         An Israeli startup uses unmanned aircraft to track down stolen cars.
·         Brazil is to use an Israeli satellite to help secure the Olympic Games.
·         Bosch has opened an Israeli Research & Development center.
·         Carlos Santana’s concert proceeds will go to an Israeli charity.
·         Bat Mitzvah celebrations in Jerusalem for 100 Holocaust survivors.

·         Last week’s Israel Good News descriptive summary.  Click here for “Israeli Remedies for a Longer Life” (fast-loading version, no adverts).  Also published on the Jerusalem Post, IsraelSeen, San Diego Jewish World and United With Israel websites.

·         Click here to see the 3rd July newsletter on IsraelSeen, Ruthfully Yours, Janglo and United With Israel with extra features on Health, .  Also (TY Sandra) available in German.  And (new) TY Karen who has translated the 26th June newsletter into Portuguese – please pass these links to German and Portuguese readers.

Page Down for details on these and more good news stories from Israel.  Thank You to all who have sent me links to many of these positive news articles.  Please use IsraelActive to search the archives.


ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS

Good progress on dry-AMD treatment trials.  (TY Karen) Human trials of OpRegen from Israeli biotech Cell Cure (see here) at Hadassah Medical Center are proceeding well.  This unique stem cell therapy aims to stop progression of the dry form of Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) that leads to blindness.

Oral insulin to replace injections.  Israeli TV news about the innovative treatment from Israel’s Oramed that will make life better for many of the 400 million people with diabetes.

When you cannot eat.  Many sufferers from cancer, stroke, cerebral palsy and Parkinson’s cannot take food orally.  Israel’s Fidmi Medical is developing an innovative enteral feeding device that is secure, reliable, painless and discreet.  It is extremely unlikely to get clogged up or be dislodged by (potentially fatal) accident.

Studying cancer in space.  (TY SDM) Israeli startup SpacePharma is working with Bioscience engineering faculty and students at SUNY Polytechnic Institute in a $1.75 million research project that will use research in space to find new cancer cures.  They will launch a “lab-on-a-chip” with cancer cells inside in a micro satellite that will orbit the earth, studying how cancer cells behave in zero gravity and micro gravity environments.

UK fellowship award for Israeli CF Professor.  (TY Karen) The UK’s Royal College of Pediatrics and Child Health has awarded an Honorary Fellowship to Professor. Eitan Kerem, head of the Division of Pediatrics at the Hadassah Medical Center and cystic fibrosis specialist. He was praised especially for his work training Palestinian Arab pediatricians in his cystic fibrosis clinic, and treating Palestinian Arab children.


ISRAEL IS INCLUSIVE AND GLOBAL

Conference for religious female entrepreneurs.  (TY Sharon) Over 650 women attended the 7th annual Temech Conference for Israeli Female Entrepreneurs on Jun 28 in Jerusalem.  Parallel programs were offered in English and Hebrew.  Temech was started by Anglos but Hebrew speakers were in the majority this year.

Beyachad – together.  The latest JNF newsletter contains many great features on JNF’s latest activities not only in the fields of water technology, but also in coexistence and diversity projects like support for Bedouin Arabs and “Baseball for All”.  http://www.jnf.org/byachad/

Free sports in Jerusalem for lone soldiers. (TY Janglo) Jerusalem’s municipality has given season tickets to all lone soldiers for the Kiryat Yovel sports center. Free pool, gym and studio classes like yoga and Pilates. https://www.facebook.com/nir.barkat/photos/a.163572597082036.27441.159416337497662/866408356798453/?type=3&theater

Thank you for saving my daughter.  (TY Karen) I featured (May 15th) the story about Hadassah doctors saving Palestinian Arab student Sara al Qassriwy (Katzroy) who collapsed whilst jogging.  Now her father has shown his gratitude by hosting a Hadassah interfaith mission to a festive meal in his Bethlehem home.

Rail link for Arab trade.  (TY Hazel & Dan) Israel is due to open in October a new 40-mile rail line between Haifa and a terminal 5 miles short of the Jordanian border. Trade between Israel and Jordan increased 65% between 2010 and 2015 as trucks with European goods travel on to Saudi Arabia, Iraq and the Gulf.  http://www.wsj.com/articles/israel-builds-railway-in-hope-of-boosting-commerce-with-arab-neighbors-1466614190

Tanzania to open embassy in Israel.  (TY Dan) The Tanzanian government has said it has decided to open an embassy in Israel in a move aimed to promote economic diplomacy and “following the economic development Israel has made in agriculture, science and technology”.

Africa needs Israel.  During the visit by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta said Israel is a critical partner in the battle against terrorism, the most serious challenge facing the world today.  President Kenyatta vowed to work to upgrade Israel's status in the African Union.  http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Politics-And-Diplomacy/During-historic-Netanyahu-visit-Kenyan-president-says-Africa-needs-Israel-459548

Drip irrigation for Paraguay.  (TY Dan) Israel has delivered 13 drip irrigation systems from Israel’s Netafim to farmers in San Pedro, Paraguay.  It is part of the “Family Drip System” plan led by Paraguayan agronomist Edgar Figueredo, a graduate of Mashav - Israel’s Agency for International Development Cooperation.

HUJ VP gets France’s highest honor.  Yossi Gal, the Vice President for Advancement and External Relations at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, has been named a Commander of France’s Legion of Honor.  Prior to joining the Hebrew University, he served as Israel’s Ambassador to France.


SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Purifying water using plants.  Israeli startup Ayala Water & Ecology provides a solution to water purification which lies within nature itself. Its flagship product, called Natural Biological System (NBS), uses containers full of plants to act as a biological filter for wastewater treatment.

Israeli finalists for Shengjing Awards.  Three Israeli startups have won through to the finals of this year’s Shengjing Awards in China.  They are Boomerang (cancer therapy - see Oct newsletter), NiniSpeech (stutter cure - see Feb newsletter) and AerialGuard (drone navigation).  Israel’s DiACardio won last year’s award.

Israel-Korea project to grow grapes using drones.  (TY Dan) Korea and Israel are to work together in developing a system of growing grapes through utilization of amphibious and commercial UAVs and big data.  They will also co-develop a grape cultivation and growth control system for entering the new Chinese wine market.  http://www.businesskorea.co.kr/english/news/industry/15035-uva-joint-development-korea-israel-co-developing-unmanned-aerial-vehicles

Using drones to retrieve stolen cars.  (TY Dan) Israeli startup Ituran uses Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAVs / drones) to track down vehicles stolen in Israel and then taken to Palestinian Authority towns.  It helped to keep car theft down to 5400 vehicles between January and May - 19% less than in the same period in 2015.

Traffic control for drones.  Israeli startup Arbe Robotics has a solution to prevent collisions between the increasing number of unmanned air vehicles (drones). It uses radar technology -  radio frequencies - to help drones detect objects and avoid crashing.  Arbe won the TechCrunch Meetup and Pitch-Off event in Tel Aviv.

Israeli satellite to secure Rio Olympics.  Israeli high-resolution imaging satellite Eros-B will strengthen security during the Rio Olympics.  Brazilian Defense Minister Raul Jungmann said “This is an Israeli satellite at a low Earth orbit altitude capable of capturing high-resolution images of up to 50 centimeters in an area of 450 kilometers.”  http://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-satellite-to-secure-rio-olympics/

Music to your ears.  (TY SDM) Israeli startup MeQ Inc has developed earphones that adapt to your unique hearing condition.  The Even Headphones incorporate an “earprint” facility which allow the listener to lower the volume and protect against further hearing problems from being over-exposed to loud music.


ECONOMY & BUSINESS

Record $1.4 billion raised by startups.  Israeli startups broke all records for the most funds raised in a quarter.  The $1.4 billion raised from Apr to Jun beat the $1 billion in Q1 2016 and the £1.1 billion in Q2 2015.

$3.32 billion in six months.  Israeli startups are still in high demand.  In the first half of 2016 there were 45 exits by Israeli startups worth $3.32 billion. They include the $811 million acquisition of EZchip by Mellanox, the $643 million buyout of Xura, and the $430 million acquisition of Ravello Systems by Oracle.

$100 million Israeli fund makes first investment.  The $100 million Israel Biotech Fund (IBF), founded to invest in Israeli bio-techs, has made its first investment in cancer treatment developer Vidac.  Vida’s VDA-1102 is the first ointment that selectively targets malignant skin cancer cells with minimal effects on surrounding healthy skin.  http://www.globes.co.il/en/article-israel-biotech-fund-raises-100m-1001136253

Another 9 joint US-Israel projects.  The Israel-U.S. Binational Industrial Research and Development (BIRD) Foundation approved funding (worth $21.5 million) for nine new projects.  The Israeli companies involved are Cellect Biotechnology, Evogene, File X, Hinoman, IAI, Kamada, Keystone Heart, MedAware and Mellanox.

Bosch opens Israel R&D center.  (TY Dan) Bosch Group has established a research and technology office in Tel Aviv.  Bosch CEO Volkmar Denner said “Pioneering spirit, world-class universities, and creative ideas – they’re all here. It’s just the right environment for groundbreaking innovations, and thus for Bosch as well”.

Israeli cybersecurity boom is sustainable.  (TY Dan) Isaac Ben Israel, who heads the Interdisciplinary Cyber Research Center (ICRC) at Tel Aviv University, reckons the massive growth in Israel’s security industry will continue.  “Israel is the only country where you can choose cybersecurity in high school,” he said at Cyber Week.  http://www.theregister.co.uk/2016/06/22/isreal_cybersecurity_boom/

Mobileye is world’s 6th smartest company.  (TY Dan) MIT Technology Review ranks Israel’s Mobileye sixth on a list of the world's 50 "smartest" companies.  Mobileye is working on autopilot and collision avoidance technology for Audi, BMW, General Motors, Nissan, Tesla, Volkswagen, and Volvo.

Mighty Israeli tahini.  (TY Dan) Israel’s Rushdi Foods Industries has launched Mighty Sesame Tahini.  It is made from just one ingredient Ethiopian sesame seed - no preservatives, sugar, salt, or any artificial ingredients.  Over 21% protein and ten times higher in calcium than cream cheese.

Microsoft’s latest accelerator graduates.  Ten Israeli startups have just completed Microsoft Israel’s latest “Scalerator” program, bringing a total of 83 that have graduated from the eight programs to date.  Six of the ten have already raised investments or received investment offers for a total of $27 million.


CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT & SPORT

A taste of Israeli wines from the Judean hills.  From Bible times till today, the Judean Hills near Jerusalem has been the home of some of the region's finest vineyards.  The owners of the Castel Winery, Mony Winery and Zion Winery have unique stories to tell.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugq-cY8MSWs

Carlos Santana donates concert proceeds.  Despite BDS pressure, singer and guitarist Carlos Santana is looking forward to his Tel Aviv concert on 30th July.  He has even donated his proceeds to the Israel charity Hand In Hand, an organization that brings together thousands of Jews and Arabs in 6 schools throughout Israel.

Morrissey to perform in Israel.  (TY SDM) Having performed in Israel in 2008 and 2012, legendary British singer Morrissey is once again returning to the Holy Land, for two concerts on August 22 at Tel Aviv’s Mann Auditorium and August 24 at the Caesarea Amphitheater.  http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Culture/King-of-Mope-Morrissey-returns-to-Israel-for-two-August-concerts-457895

Ramon’s Piano.  Tal Ramon, second son of Israel’s first astronaut Ilan Ramon, has just released his first album, Character (Dmut in Hebrew).  He was inspired to take up music thanks to his father Ilan, the son of a piano teacher who survived Auschwitz, and in 1974 spent his entire first paycheck a Steinway piano.

White Night Tel Aviv.  Here is a montage of the huge number of all-night events that took place on Jun 30th.


THE JEWISH STATE

The largest donation to an Israeli University.  A $400 million gift to Ben-Gurion University from the estate of Howard and Lottie Marcus is believed to be the largest-ever bequest on behalf of an Israeli university.  Much of it goes to BGU’s Zuckerberg Institute for Water Research, which studies sustainable use of water resources, desalination technologies, water quality, and microbiology.

Miracle at Entebbe.  (TY Avi) Please watch this exciting six-and-a half-minute video summary of the IDF raid to free 102 Jewish hostages at Entebbe airport Uganda, 40 years ago - hailed as the most daring rescue in the history of the Modern Jewish State.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xCxzdU9dQo

A Bat Mitzvah for 100 Holocaust survivors.  About a hundred Holocaust survivors, ages 75-95, celebrated their “coming of age” Bat Mitzvah ceremony at the Western Wall (Kotel) in Jerusalem.  The event was arranged by the charity Ezer Mizion for women who were prevented by the Nazis from celebrating at age 12.

Re-planting the Garden of Eden.  (TY Janette) The Hava V’Adam (Adam and Eve) Ecological Farm near the Israeli city of Modi’in is organizing the planting of an ecological orchard – an edible forest of fruit trees and herbs.  Residents of the Cramim neighborhood are able to take part in establishing and maintaining the garden.



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In the 3rd July 16 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:

·         A new Israeli treatment for stomach cancer.
·         A new record for the number of women in Israel’s Parliament.
·         The world’s longest and highest glass bridge is Israeli-designed.
·         An Israeli natural bio-fungicide made from tea tree oil.
·         Bill Gates makes his first Israeli investment.
·         Cisco highlights its confidence in Israel with three big deals.
·         Beyoncé is to give her first-ever performance in Israel.
·         Israel celebrates 40 years since the daring Entebbe rescue mission.

·         Last week’s Israel Good News descriptive summary.  Click here for “The Israel Guide to an EU Exit” as published online in the Jerusalem Post.

·         Click here to see the 26th June newsletter on IsraelSeen, Ruthfully Yours, Janglo, IsraPundit and United With Israel with extra features on Health, Global Impact, Technology and Culture.  Also (TY Sandra) available in German.

Page Down for details on these and more good news stories from Israel.  Thank You to all who have sent me links to many of these positive news articles.  Please use IsraelActive to search the archives.


ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS

Nanomedicine targets stomach cancer.  (TY Dan) Researchers at Israel’s Technion Institute have developed a nanomedicine technology for the targeted treatment of gastric tumors.  The platform combines anti-cancer and anti-resistance compounds, packaged orally in beta-casein – a constituent of mother’s milk.

Artificial Intelligence to aid patient care.  Israeli startup MedyMatch is developing an artificial intelligence (AI) platform using proprietary algorithms to process CT image data in the Cloud.  Fast analysis of data will help physicians make accurate critical clinical decisions – e.g. with stroke diagnosis.

An app to beat acne.  Israeli startup MDAlgorithms has built MDacne - the world’s first app to provide mobile acne analysis with customized treatment plans.  Users complete a questionnaire and take a selfie. An algorithm then processes the data and offers food and hygiene tips and recommended medications.

ReWalk inventor can now stand up.  Israel’s Amit Goffer invented the ReWalk for paraplegics, but as a quadriplegic he couldn’t use it. So he invented UPnRIDE (see Aug 2014) which allows wheelchair-bound quadriplegics to get vertical.  Watch Amit use the latest version of UPnRIDE.

Device to treat overactive bladder.  (TY Dan) Israeli startup BlueWind Medical has won a CE mark for its miniature neuro-stimulation device to treat overactive bladder.  The OAB-1000 system is wireless, has no battery, is 90% smaller than existing devices and is minimally invasive, being implanted in the leg.

Robotic surgery in New York.  (TY Dan) Dr. Ronald Lehman is first in NYC to perform PROlat(TM) spinal surgery using technology from Israel’s Mazor Robotics.  He praised the time saved (one hour), the absence of having to flip over the patient and the reduced radiation that the patient and operating staff were exposed to.  In addition, Mazor’s platform has now been approved by the medical authorities in (South) Korea.

Find an Israeli doctor.  The Israel Medical Association has launched a database (in Hebrew) of Israeli public and private doctors.  Currently containing 1500 doctors (and growing) one can search by name, specialty and subspecialty, location, gender, professional status, languages they speak and age group that they treat.

Israeli soldiers revive Palestinian Arab baby.  A Palestinian Arab baby without a pulse was brought to where IDF soldiers were stationed and they immediately began emergency treatment. They were able to restore the baby’s breathing before the Red Crescent arrived to take him to hospital. The baby is now in stable condition.


ISRAEL IS INCLUSIVE AND GLOBAL

Record number of women in Israeli Parliament.  (TY Atid-EDI) Israel’s latest political reshuffle has brought the number of women lawmakers to a 33 – an all-time high. Yulia Malinovsky was sworn in as a Yisrael Beytenu Member of the Knesset on 7 June.  She plans to focus on issues of welfare, education, housing, and the cost of living.  http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_article.php?id=34185

Supporting social startups.  (TY Atid-EDI) TechForGood has announced registration for the third cycle of its Israeli accelerator program, which supports startups that leverage technology in order to address social issues. It seeks Israeli startups with ideas for the elderly, the environment, food quality, healthcare, etc.

Israeli-Arab is University dean.  Professor Michael (Mousa) Karayanni is the first-ever Israeli-Arab to be appointed dean of the Faculty of Law at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.  Professor Karayanni, is from a Christian Greek Orthodox family in the Galilee town of Kafr Yasif.  

Finance for Arab businesswomen.  (TY Dan) SAWA is a microfinance initiative from Koret Israel Economic Development Funds that offers loans to women with promising business ideas.  SAWA began in the country’s South focusing on Bedouin women, and has recently expanded further north.

150 PA farmers attend expo in Tel Aviv.  The Civil Administration for the Territories (COGAT) arranged for 150 Palestinians Arab farmers to attend an international exhibition of agriculture (Agro-Mashov) in the heart of Tel Aviv in order to learn about cutting-edge agricultural technology to develop their businesses.

Employment for Georgia.  (TY Dan) Jobs will be created in the US State of Georgia when Israel’s Polymer Logistics opens its third U.S. distribution center in Dublin, Georgia. The $4 million center will eventually employ 110 people, adding to those already employed in its California and Texas service centers.  In addition, Georgia Ports Authority reported a 23 percent increase in trade with Israel last year.

Israeli greenhouses to employ Philippine’s homeless.  (TY Dan) The Secretary of the Department of Agriculture in the Philippines is to train the street dwellers in the capital Manila to work in agricultural projects supported by Greenhouse Israeli Agro-Innovative Technology.  (See also Aug 2015 newsletter)

US University leaders visit Israel.  (TY Dan) Presidents and chancellors from top US universities and colleges have been visiting Israel to learn about innovation and opportunities for bilateral academic partnerships.

China’s incredible glass bridge.  Israeli architect Haim Dotan designed the world’s highest and longest transparent glass bridge spanning China’s Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon, one of the most popular scenic spots in China.  It is 430m long and 300m high and took only 18 months to complete at a cost of approximately £48 million.


SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

AI to build a website.   (TY Dan) Israeli DIY website development company Wix.com is to market a new platform that uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) to ensure the website completely meets the requirements of the builder.  Wix ADI asks the user what he/she needs and then uses its algorithms to build the website in minutes.

Electric car-sharing for Haifa.  The Haifa municipality and the Ministry of Environmental Protection is to launch a pilot program for shared vehicles. It includes operation of an electric car rental service for users to collect a vehicle at a one location and return it at any of the charging stations scattered around the city.

Israeli solar tech for South African power plant.  Israel’s Brenmiller Energy has teamed up with Spanish company Isolux in a tender for construction of a 150-megawatt solar power station in South Africa.  Brenmiller's energy storage systems will account for half of the project's estimated $500 million overall cost.

Wheat genome data released for research.  The bread wheat genome, that was deciphered by Israel’s NRGene, has now been made available to researchers by the International Wheat Genome Sequencing Consortium (IWGSC).  The data will make possible the production of improved wheat varieties for farmers.

A bio-fungicide from tea tree oil.  Israeli-managed Stockton Group has signed a major agreement with Syngenta as the exclusive global distributor of Stockton’s new bio-fungicide technology based on tea tree oil for the control of several diseases in ornamental crops. 

The optical engine to AR glasses.  (TY Dan) Israel’s Lumus produces optical engines - a critical part of Augmented Reality (AR) products.  Its customers build AR glasses, visors, goggles, and headsets including Thales, Atheer and DAQRI.  Lumus has just raised $15 million in new funding.  (see also May 2014 newsletter)

Green globes for World Environment Day.  (TY Dan) To mark World Environment Day, the Israeli Union of Environmental NGOs - Life and Environment, presented a Green Globe to Yosef Abramowitz - the Israeli CEO of solar energy company Energiya Global.  Other winners included Greeneye in the Business category.

The firewall that fights back.  At cybersecurity startup Preempt’s Israeli R&D center it has developed a firewall that not only detects suspicious behavior, but responds to neutralize any threat in real time.  It will decide whether to block the attacker, notify management or challenge the attacker to authenticate.

Interpol and NATO attend Cyber Week.  (TY Dan) Cybersecurity professionals, policymakers, investors, entrepreneurs and academics, including some from INTERPOL and NATO, attended Tel Aviv’s 6th Annual International Cybersecurity Conference (also known as Cyber Week). They discussed threats facing the international community and the latest advances in cyber technology.

Accelerating the world’s fastest computer.  The world's new fastest supercomputer is Sunway TaihuLight in Wuxi, China.  But its 93 petaflop/s (quadrillions of calculations per second) are accelerated by its use of the interconnect InfiniBand solutions of Israel’s Mellanox Technologies.  InfiniBand connects 41.2 percent of the TOP500 systems. http://www.mellanox.com/page/press_release_item?id=1749

Minimizing machinery downtime.  (TY Atid-EDI) Israel’s DeepSense processes data from industrial machinery to predict likely machine failures and alert management.  DeepSense has just raised $2 million of funding.  www.globes.co.il/en/article-israeli-machine-failure-prediction-co-deepsense-raises-2m-1001131785

Power from Gallium Nitride.  (TY Atid-EDI) Israel’s VisIC Technologies develops and markets high power transistors and modules based upon the semiconductor compound Gallium Nitride (GaN). VisIC’s mission is to replace most of the less efficient Silicon products used in power conversion systems.


ECONOMY & BUSINESS

Study to be an entrepreneur. Israel’s Interdisciplinary Center (IDC) Herzliya will launch a new one-year program in October to promote innovation and entrepreneurship.  IDCBeyond, will train graduates in technology, biomedicine, globalization and sustainability, with mentoring from academia and industry.

Israeli-Indian startups.  (TY Dan) Tel Aviv University is to launch a joint accelerator program together with India’s T-Hub technological incubator.  The program will support agritech startups both in the Indian state of Telangana and in Israel. 

Bill Gates invests in Israeli incubator.  (TY SDM) Intellectual Ventures, of which Bill Gates is a member, has invested in the new technological incubator XELERATOR for the development of medical devices.  It is thought to be Gates’ first-ever investment in Israel.

Jerusalem – startup capital of Israel.  Jerusalem is the fusion of old and new.  An ancient city where new media and new technology startups emerge.  Israel’s largest exits (NDS bought by Cisco and Mobileye’s NASDAQ launch) came out of Jerusalem.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8ECyAwyAzQ

The Israel who built a $16 billion brand.  Israel’s Adam Neumann founded WeWork (see here) which rents shared office space to entrepreneurs, small companies, and even divisions of large corporations.  WeWork has some 50,000 members, about 100 international locations, and a private valuation of $16 billion.

Smart tennis system is a smash hit.  (TY Dan) I reported on the Smart Court tennis training system from Israel’s PlaySight previously (in 2014) when there were 8 systems in the USA.  There are now 300 of the camera and kiosk systems all over the world.  http://www.examiner.com/article/playsight-smart-courts-income-opportunities-for-tennis-professionals-and-facil

A business hub in the desert.  Construction has started on the JNF business hub in the development town of Mitzpe Ramon.  The Hub provides office space for firms active in digital marketing and new media. The lower costs of setting up in the Negev make the location attractive both to start-ups and employees.

Israel is a digital printing leader.  (TY Dan) Israeli digital printing companies were star attractions at the drupa international printing trade fair in Germany.  Nano printing Landa received $450 million of orders.  Highcon demonstrated what can be achieved with its digital finishing technology and sold $40 million. Scodix had $100 million of orders and 100 new customers from 21 countries for its digital enhancement solutions.

Accenture grows in Israel.  US consultancy giant Accenture has just bought Israeli cybersecurity company, Maglan, in order to increase its ability to provide clients with cyber defense services using Israeli innovation. It has also set up a new research and development lab in Herzliya, focusing on cyber security projects.

More funds for interactive stories.  (TY Dan) I featured Israeli startup Interlude’s amazing video technology previously. (see here) Interlude is the developer of the Eko interactive storytelling platform and has just received “tens of millions of dollars” of new funding from Sony Pictures Entertainment.

Israel is strategic for Cisco.  Cisco’s chairman and Israel’s Prime Minister signed a strategic agreement to make the eastern Negev into Israel's first fully digitalized region.  In other news, Cisco signed a financial tech agreement with Bank Hapoalim and paid $293 million for Israeli cloud security company CloudLock.


CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT & SPORT

What the Romans got up to.  Israeli archeologists have excavated the gate of the Roman city of Hyppos at Sussita National Park in Northern Israel.  They believe the gate may have led to the compound of Pan, worshipped by the Romans during the period of the Emperor Hadrian, who reigned from 117 to 138 CE.

Lifeguard finds 900-year-old lamp on beach.  Meir Amshik, a lifeguard at the Ashkelon Coast National Park, discovered a 12th century CE oil lamp from the early Crusader period.  Meir said, “Finding such a treasure is very exciting. You feel like you're a part of history."

Dogs and the Rio Olympics.  (TY Jacob Richman) What connects guide dogs for the blind to Olympic Games events featuring Israeli athletes?  Answer - they are all featured on the latest issue of Israeli stamps.

Israeli fashion.  What do Beyoncé​ and Lady Gaga​ have in common? Both of them wear Israeli-designed fashion!  Israel's creative fashion scene is making a statement both in Israel and abroad.

Beyoncé is coming to Israel.  (TY Janglo) It’s now official – Beyoncé will be performing in Tel Aviv

Natalie Imbruglia to perform in Israel.  90s pop sensation Natalie Imbruglia will be performing this summer on August 31, at the Hichal HaTarbut in Tel Aviv.  Natalie’s hits include Torn, Big Mistake, Smoke, and Beauty On The Fire. Her concert in Israel is part of her world tour promoting her latest album.

Concert to benefit Sobar.  The next fun event to support the no-alcohol, no smoking music club for Jerusalem youth will take place at Mike's Place in Tel Aviv on Friday July 8th from 1-4pm. Join the Sobar band, Libi Hart, Eli Marcus, Assaf Ganzman, SheRock and more for a fun 60's music. Also see Sobar’s crowdfunding site.


THE JEWISH STATE

Remembering Entebbe.  40 years after the most daring rescue in the history of the Jewish State, former hostages and commandos recall the event that grabbed the attention and admiration of the world.

Google of the Bible.  (TY Dan) Herzog College in the Judean town of Alon Shvut has developed a website to access the Bible.  Google of the Bible offers a search engine, biblical-era maps linked to contemporary satellite pictures, thematic cross-references, terminology, idioms, commentary, videos, curriculums and artwork. 

A new Israeli holiday – Aliya Day.  The Knesset officially enacted a national day to celebrate Aliyah (immigration).  Yom Ha’Aliyah will be celebrated on 7 Cheshvan (October-November), coinciding with the week of the Torah portion in which Abraham is commanded by God to migrate to the Land of Israel.